About Safflower
Safflower (kardi) is a hardy rabi oilseed whose oil is low in saturated fat; it gave its name to the Saffola brand. Its area has shrunk, but it remains important on the black soils of the Deccan.
Where Safflower Is Grown in Maharashtra
The main safflower districts of Maharashtra are Solapur, Latur, Osmanabad (Dharashiv), Beed. Maharashtra is India's leading producer of onion, grapes, pomegranate, banana (with Gujarat and Andhra), tur, soybean, cotton and sugarcane, and of Alphonso mango and Nagpur orange. Its mandis at Lasalgaon, Latur, Sangli, Solapur and Vashi are among the best known in India.
Season in Maharashtra
Rabi: sown September–October, harvested February–March. Exact arrival dates in Maharashtra depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Safflower Is Sold in Maharashtra
Farm produce is sold through regulated APMC market yards under the state's agricultural produce marketing law, run by the state agricultural marketing board, with many yards linked to eNAM. Maharashtra has been a leader in FPO-led marketing and in allowing direct sales outside APMC yards for fruits and vegetables.
Other major markets in Maharashtra
- Lasalgaon and PimpalgaonOnion, tomato, grapesAboutExplore
- LaturTur, soybeanAboutExplore
- Vashi APMC, Navi MumbaiFruits, vegetables, AlphonsoAboutExplore
- SangliTurmeric, raisinsAboutExplore
- SolapurOnion, pomegranate, jowarAboutExplore
- Kalamna, NagpurOrangeAboutExplore
- JalgaonBanana, cottonAboutExplore
Government Buying in Maharashtra
MSP; procurement when prices fall. In Maharashtra, buying is organised through the agencies below, usually at procurement centres in or near the mandis during the harvest window. Farmers register in advance, and payment is made to their bank accounts.
- Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB)Regulated markets, export facilitiesAboutExplore
- MahaFPC (Maharashtra Farmer Producer Companies)FPO procurement and marketingAboutExplore
Buyers, Processors and Exporters
These companies and bodies buy, process or export safflower across India, including from Maharashtra. Tap a name for details.
- Marico LtdSaffola oilsAboutExplore
- Solvent Extractors' Association of IndiaIndustry bodyAboutExplore
Research and Advice in Maharashtra
New varieties, crop advice and seed for safflower growers in Maharashtra come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
- Mahatma Phule Krishi VidyapeethRahuriAboutExplore
- Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi VidyapeethAkolaAboutExplore
- Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi VidyapeethParbhaniAboutExplore
- Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi VidyapeethDapoliAboutExplore
Safflower in Other States
Related: Safflower – all India · Maharashtra · All crops
Names are listed for reference only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation. The About and Explore buttons open Google in a new tab; results there are generated by Google and third parties, not by this site. Prices, MSP, export rules and schemes change often. Nothing here is financial, legal or purchasing advice. Full disclaimer