The tamarind and maize produced in Bastar division is in high demand overseas as proved by exports which was to the tune of more than Rs 100 crore during the previous Kharif season.
The farmers are expecting similar demand by year-end and have stored about 20,000 metric tonnes of tamarind in cold storages. The maize produced by Bastar is being exported to USA, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Vietnam, while tamarind is being exported to Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Dubai.
In the Kharif season period more than six lakh quintals of maize worth Rs 85 crore was exported from Bastar. Similarly 50,000 quintals of tamarind worth Rs 20 crore was exported.A few years ago, paddy and mustard were the key crops of Bastar region but the trend has changed during the past five years. The farmers go for maize in Rabi and Kharif crops and are getting higher returns in comparison to paddy.
Joint Director of Mandi Board Kumar Ram Banjare said that the total procurement of maize in different markets of Bastar division was 1,758, 851 quintals in 2011-12, 2025056 quintals in 2012-13 and 21,04478 quintals in 2013-14.
“The production of maize is increasing year by year in the division as more and more farmers are interested in farming of maize,” said Banjare. Trader Shyam Somani said that the production of maize in Bastar has increased during the past three years and farmers have shown interest in maize due to good returns.
The traders dealing in export of tamarind are yet to get any order as Bangladesh, Burma and Thailand have good yield of tamarind this year. However, they have not lost hopes as they believe that the orders will come by the end of year. They have stored about 20,000 tonnes of tamarind in 11 cold storages of the division.