Introduction India is the largest producer and consumer of cumin seed in the world. It is an important spice in a large number of Indian preparations.   Area Of Cultivation In India, cumin seed is almost exclusively cultivated in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

In India, cumin seed is a Rabi crop sown in October - November and harvested in February.

The area under cumin increased to 3,07,050 hectares in 1996-97 from 2,20,340 hectares in 1995-96 and the output to 1,17,120 tonnes from 75,250 tonnes in 1995-96. In 1995-96 the area under cumin in Rajasthan declined to 1.25 lakh hectares and the output to 36,000 tonnes. The yield was 286 kg per hectare. in 1996-97, the area under cumin in Jalore was 57,701 hectares. Barmer 52,864 hectares and Nagaur 42,413 hectares. The output of cumin seed is expected to have declined sharply in Rajasthan in 1998-99. The yields in Barmer, Jalore Jodhpur, Nagaur, Pali and Sirohi districts of the state, where cumin is sown in vast areas, has registered a steep fall as compared to the previous year. In 1999. the production of cumin in Rajasthan is expected to be marginally higher at 60,000 tonnes against 57,135 tonnes in 1998 due to rise in area to 1.70 lakh hectares from 1.67 lakh hectares in 1998. The mandi in Nagaur is the largest trading centre for cumin seed in Rajasthan. The crop normally arrives in the Market in the month of March. In April 1998 cumin was quoting Rs. 65 to Rs. 80 per kg in Nagaur mandi and between Rs. 35 to Rs. 55 per kg at Merta mandi. In April 1997, the price was ranging between Rs, 45 to Rs. 48 per kg. Earlier, cumin seed also used to be traded in mandies at Niwai and Kekri in Rajasthan but now the market has shifted to Gujarat. The price of cumin seed in Gujarat mandies is normally higher. Therefore many farmers from Rajasthan also market their produce in mandies in Gujarat. In 1998-99, Gujarat had a good crop of cumin seed, which resulted in a fall in its price also. In March 1998, the exports of cumin seed from India to Europe picked up. The new crop in Syria and Turkey is harvested in September so until then Indian cumin seed finds good market in overseas countries.

India exports cumin seed to Bangladesh, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, UAE, UK, USA and many other countries and cumin seed powder to Canada, UK, USA, etc. India's exports of cumin seed and powder went up from 3,871 tonnes valued at Rs. 17.39 crore in 1995-96 to 6, 375 tonnes value at Rs. 34.38 crores in 1996-97. Between April-December 1998 India exported about 7,400 tonnes of cumin seed and powder valued at Rs. 36.77 crore. India also exports oleoresins of cumin seed and cumin seed oil to USA, UK, Germany, etc. In 1996-97, India exported 5.66 tonnes of oleoresins of cumin seed valued at Rs. 44.65 lakhs against 8.95 tonnes valued at Rs. 87.97 lakhs in 1995-96 India's exports of cumin seed oil went up from 710 kg valued at Rs. 15.55 lakhs in 1995-96 to 2.170 kg valued at Rs. 30.70 lakhs in 1996-97.