Table of Contents
Introduction
Castor (Ricinus communis) is a versatile oilseed crop primarily used for industrial and medicinal purposes. It has been cultivated in India for centuries and is highly valued for its rich oil content and diverse applications. Castor oil is widely used in medicine, cosmetics, biofuels, and various industrial products, making it an essential crop in India’s agricultural sector. The plant thrives in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in semi-arid climates with well-drained soil.
India is one of the world’s largest producers of castor seeds, with Brazil and China also being major producers. Now, let’s take a detailed look at the top 10 castor-producing states in India in 2021-22 in detail.
Top 10 Castor Producing States in India
- Gujarat
- Rajasthan
- Odisha
- Telangana
- Andhra Pradesh
- Tamil Nadu
- Karnataka
- Maharashtra
- Madhya Pradesh
- Haryana

Gujarat

Gujarat ranks first in castor production in India in 2021-22, with a total production of 1,401.33 kilotonnes. Castor was cultivated over a total area of around 6,502.7 km² in the state. The major castor-producing regions in Gujarat are Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, and Mehsana.
Rajasthan

Rajasthan ranks second in castor production in 2021-22, with a total production of 198.77 kilotonnes. Castor was cultivated over 1,391 km² in the state. The major castor-producing regions in Rajasthan are Barmer, Jalore, and Sirohi.
Odisha

Odisha ranks third in castor production in 2021-22, with a total production of 4.77 kilotonnes. The crop was cultivated across 76.4 km² in the state. The major castor-producing regions in Odisha are Cuttack, Koraput, and Kalahandi.
Telangana

Telangana ranks fourth in castor production in 2021-22, with a total production of 3.82 kilotonnes. Castor was grown over 40 km² in the state. The major castor-producing regions in Telangana include Ranga Reddy, Medak, and Karimnagar.
Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh ranks fifth in castor production in 2021-22, with a total production of 3.50 kilotonnes. The crop was cultivated over 150 km² in the state. The major castor-producing regions in Andhra Pradesh include Anantapur and Kurnool.
Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu ranks sixth in castor production in 2021-22, with a total production of 2.00 kilotonnes. Castor was cultivated over 64.1 km² in the state. The major castor-producing regions in Tamil Nadu are Namakkal, Salem, and Krishnagiri.
Karnataka

Karnataka ranks seventh in castor production in 2021-22, with a total production of 1.84 kilotonnes. The crop was cultivated over 20 km² in the state. The major castor-producing regions in Karnataka include Tumkur, Hassan, and Chitradurga.
Maharashtra

Maharashtra ranks eighth in castor production in 2021-22, with a total production of 0.88 kilotonnes. Castor was cultivated over 29.2 km² in the state. The major castor-producing regions in Maharashtra include Beed and Buldhana.
Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh ranks ninth in castor production in 2021-22, with a total production of 0.76 kilotonnes. The crop was grown across 20 km² in the state. The major castor-producing regions in Madhya Pradesh are Dhar, Ujjain, and Jhabua.
Haryana

Haryana ranks tenth in castor production in 2021-22, with a total production of 0.60 kilotonnes. Castor was cultivated over 7 km² in the state. The major castor-producing regions in Haryana are Rewari, Sirsa, and Hisar.
Top 10 States in India Based on Castor Productivity
- Gujarat
- Rajasthan
- Bihar
- Meghalaya
- Telangana
- Karnataka
- Haryana
- Jharkhand
- Odisha
- Assam
Fun Facts About Castor
- Castor oil is widely used in biofuels, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and industrial applications.
- Castor beans contain ricin, a highly toxic compound.
- Castor oil is a key ingredient in high-performance lubricants, coatings, and biodegradable plastics.
- Castor cake, a byproduct of oil extraction, is rich in nutrients and used as an organic fertilizer.
- Castor oil was once used as an aircraft lubricant, playing a crucial role in World War I fighter planes.
- Castor oil has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to relieve constipation and improve skin health.
- Ancient Egyptians used castor oil in lamps and for medicinal purposes, highlighting its long-standing value in human history.
- The name ‘castor’ is believed to have originated from its use as a substitute for ‘castoreum,’ a secretion from beavers used in perfumes.
Common FAQs
Q. Which state is the largest producer of Castor in India in 2021-22?
A. Gujarat ranks first in Castor production in 2021-22.
Q. Which state ranks second in Castor production in India in 2021-22?
A. Rajasthan ranks second in Castor production in 2021-22.
Q. What are the top five Castor-producing states in India in 2021-22?
A. The top five Castor-producing states in 2021-22 were Gujarat, Rajasthan, Odisha, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
Q. Which state has the largest area under Castor cultivation in 2021-22?
A. Gujarat has the largest area under Castor cultivation in 2021-22.
Q. What was the total area under Castor cultivation in India in 2021-22?
A. The total area under Castor cultivation in India in 2021-22 was 8,309.8 km².
Q. Which state has the highest Castor productivity in India in 2021-22?
A. Gujarat recorded the highest productivity of Castor in 2021-22.
Q. What is the scientific name of Castor?
A. The scientific name of Castor is Ricinus communis.
Q. To which botanical family does Castor belong?
A. Castor belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family.
Q. Which country is the largest producer of Castor oil globally?
A. India is the largest producer of Castor oil, contributing around 85% of global production.
Q. What are the common Indian names for Castor?
A. Arandi, Eranda, Avanakku, Amudham, etc.