Gujarat is set to witness lower urad crop this kharif season owing to reduced acreage following water shortage due to weak rains, which have been lower by 23 per cent. The total area under urad for the kharif season in the State has shrunk by about 17 per cent to 107,400 hectares as against 130,000 hectares reported last year. The first advance estimate for the year 2018-19 kharif crop released by the Gujarat government indicates lower urad output at about 75,000 tonnes, down by about 20 per cent from 93,000 tonnes estimated in the fourth advance estimate for kharif 2017-18. The arrivals have already started at the market places with prices quoting in the range of ?3,750-5,880 at most places, while in some markets the prices have also touched ?6,150 a quintal. Notably, the minimum support price (MSP) announced for the year 2018-19 season is 5,600 a quintal.