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Commodity Profile – Guar Seed
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The guar seed or cluster seed is an annual legume. The botanical name for guar is
Cyamopsis tetragonoloba. The seeds of the guar plant have three parts i.e. the germ,
the endosperm and the husk. Guar seed is consumed as a seed, livestock fed and also
in the form of manure in the fields. It is the source of guar gum. Guar gum is obtained
from the endosperm of the seed of the plant. The gum is refined to make a yellowish
white powder and it is consumed worldwide in this powder form only.
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Economic importance
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Immature pods are dried and fried like potato chips.
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Its plants are cut and fed as green forage.
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Seeds are boiled in a large kettle and fed to cattle a high protein source.
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Guar seed has medicinal value. Its leaves are used to cure night blindness. Seeds
are as chemo-therapeutic agent against smallpox and also used as laxative.
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Guar Gum has industrial uses and used in textile and paper industry, food processing,
cosmetics, mining, pharmaceutical, explosives, petroleum, well drilling, oil industries,
photography and refining etc.
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Global Scenario
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India is the largest producer of Guar Seed (Cluster bean). Pakistan, Sudan and parts
of USA are the other major guar seed producing countries. World market for Guar
gum is estimated to be around 150,000 tons/ year, 70% of which is produced by India
& Pakistan. . India is the leading exporter of guar seeds and guar gum. The major
importing countries of Indian guar products are USA, Germany, France, United Kingdom,
South Africa, Netherlands, Italy and Japan. The USA is the largest consumer of Guar
gum.
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Domestic Scenario
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India contributes to 80% of the total world’s guar seed production. Guar seed is
grown in the northwestern parts of country encompassing states of Rajasthan, Gujarat,
Haryana and Punjab. Rajasthan is the major producing state of guar seed in India.
Guar seed is grown as a kharif crop. The peak arrival season begins from the month
of November and extends up to the month of January. Jodhpur, Bikaner and Nokha are
the major trading centers for Guar seed in the country.
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