India has silently emerged as the leading exporter of Zinga (Jatropha) to the US market. The exports have touched ₹23,000 crores and Gujarat contributed ₹1,000 crores alone. A less-known crop until recently, the replacement crop is unlocking opportunities for the Indian farmer, especially the farmers in Gujarat. With the rising global demand and the strong government support, Zinga farming is set to become the next ‘big thing’.
Believe it or not, India is now the largest exporter of Zinga to the USA. Over ₹23,000 crore of Zinga was exported from India in the last year, with Gujarat contributing roughly ₹1,000 crore. This is not just a statistic – it reflects the quiet global leadership position that India is now going to as the dominant force in Zinga exports. Of course, China and Mexico are still in the game, but with India’s evolving scale and pace, it will seem to be a different game.
This huge success in Zinga is thanks to thousands of farmers, exporters, and the evolution of global demands from Zinga. Zinga is not just a crop – it will now become an opportunity to put Indian agriculture on the global map.
Gujarat now has a burgeoning industry of farmers now practicing Zinga farming; that the government body provided roughly 7,800 hectares of land designated to growing Zinga. This is good news! A large number of farmers in Gujarat are shifting to Zinga farming instead of their traditional crops, because of the profit gained from growing Zinga.
Before farmers knew little about this crop, making it less desirable for cultivation. Now, however Zinga is sweeping through Gujarat, many farmers are acknowledging how easy it is to grow, and how good of a selling price farmer are receiving. Little by little Zinga is becoming a lucrative crop among many areas in Gujarat.
For decades, farmers in Gujarat cultivated either groundnut or cotton depending on season, but now many farmers are now switching to Zinga, a crop that promises better earnings. The primary driver for this change of crop selection comes from the increased foreign demand for Zinga, leading to much higher returns on the investment in Zinga. While groundnut and cotton may have returns that
fluctuate, Zinga farming has become much more profitable, and it has the ability to increase their earnings tremendously.
This transition has real implications — with Zinga exports from Gujarat crossing ₹1,000 crore, indicating a healthy demand in the marketplace. The government is also aiding in the way of subsidies, training, and facilitating connections between the farmers and the processor/buyers, which alleviates any transition challenges that may arise.
For many farmers, the opportunity to advance from traditional farming to engage in a new crop Zinga, presents an opportunity to elevate their livelihood and to some extent provide financial sustainability for the future. It is a story of how crop changes can ignite local hope and opportunity for growth among the farming communities of Gujarat.
The US has imposed a 25% tariff on Indian Zinga imports. In doing so, Indian Zinga exports to the US, which are about 2300 crore rupees now have major problems. Gujarat’s share in this export is around 900 crores.
Earlier, Zinga was being sold at a rate of about 400 rupees per kilo. After tariff, to sustain the sale, farmers have to sell Zinga at a rate of about 375 rupees per kilo; which means farmers are making a loss since they are selling at a lower price; If prices are to lower, once interest has lost, then many Zinga farmers will face huge losses.
Apart from the US other countries like China and others also import Indian Zinga, but at a lower tariff range (10% – 20%).
In order to promote the Zinga industry, the Gujarat government has given a total of around 8500 hectares of government land to Zinga farming. Over 1300 hectares are already being utilized in Gujarat to grow Zinga. The government has implemented measures to assist the farmers, but current tariff issues still make it difficult.
Zinga farmers in Gujarat face challenges because on the government land given to Zinga farming the soil is of poor quality in many places, such as Surat district, where substantially more farmers want to grow Zinga but the soil is not satisfactory.
The production cost is also increasing, and there is a plant disease, “black spot” affecting Zinga farming/production.
If the US tariff remains, there may be further loss by farmers in Gujarat, and shrinkage of the export business.
Zinga export is paving the way for new opportunities for farmers in Gujarat to increase their income and grow their business. Although there are some limitations and challenges such as tariffs, farmers are enthusiastic to replant Zinga because of the prospect of higher returns in income. With government help and global demand on the rise, Zinga farming has a positive future. It is clear that this crop is becoming a meaningful story in the farming practice of Gujarat.
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A storyteller at heart, Nikita believes words can change the world – one blog at a time.
