Gujarat may see double-digit growth in soyabean farming
The top producer of groundnuts, is witnessing a slow but steady shift towards soyabean cultivation.
By Bhargav Trivedi, TNN |
AHMEDABAD-GUJARAT: The top producer of groundnuts, is witnessing a slow but steady shift towards soyabean cultivation. The state, especially the eastern belt covering Panchmahal, Dahod, Sabarkantha, has witnessed a shift towards soyabean crop.
Gujarat���s contribution to the country���s overall soyabean cultivation may be low, but the state is witnessing double-digit growth. The coming kharif season may see a 10% rise in the area under soyabean cultivation.
Sources say that going by the demand for soyabean seeds, the land cultivation of soyabean crop will rise to 1 lakh hectare from 68,000 hectares in 2007.
Earlier, in 2006, the area under cultivation was 51,000 hectares, quite a jump as compared to a mere 9,000 hectares in 2004.
According to the spokesperson of Nizuvidu, a seed manufacturing company, the demand for soyabean seeds has increased from 4 truckloads earlier to 9 truckloads this year.
The prices of seeds too have considerably risen from Rs 750 (for 30 kg) last year to Rs 950 this year. The rise in prices of soyabean has boosted the production figures.
A quintal of soyabean, which costs Rs 1,200-1,300 two years ago, is now priced at Rs 2,300 per quintal.
According to the vice-chancellor of Anand Agricultural University MC Varshney the increasing preference towards soyabean is a result of increasing awareness among the farmers and the commercial viability of the crop, which is now turning into a cash crop in India.
There is a view that soyabean cultivation needs industry support. "Till date, processing units for soyabean came up primarily in Indore and nearby areas. Gujarat had too few of such units. However, with rising demand for soyabean, farmers of late see lot of value in the crop," he added.
Mr Varshney added that the agricultural land in Gujarat is ideal for soyabean cultivation. In terms of productivity during Kharif season, if one hectare produces 1.8 tonnes of groundnut, the same area can produce 2-2.5 tonnes of soyabean.
Additionally, there is less risk and expenses involved in the cultivation of soyabean.
The current year has witnessed substantial rise in the productivity of the crop in these districts.
For the next year, he expects the figure to touch 100-120 truckloads. ���Four years ago, we were hardly selling one lakh kg of seeds,��� he said.
Gujarat���s contribution to the country���s overall soyabean cultivation may be low, but the state is witnessing double-digit growth. The coming kharif season may see a 10% rise in the area under soyabean cultivation.
Sources say that going by the demand for soyabean seeds, the land cultivation of soyabean crop will rise to 1 lakh hectare from 68,000 hectares in 2007.
Earlier, in 2006, the area under cultivation was 51,000 hectares, quite a jump as compared to a mere 9,000 hectares in 2004.
According to the spokesperson of Nizuvidu, a seed manufacturing company, the demand for soyabean seeds has increased from 4 truckloads earlier to 9 truckloads this year.
The prices of seeds too have considerably risen from Rs 750 (for 30 kg) last year to Rs 950 this year. The rise in prices of soyabean has boosted the production figures.
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A quintal of soyabean, which costs Rs 1,200-1,300 two years ago, is now priced at Rs 2,300 per quintal.
According to the vice-chancellor of Anand Agricultural University MC Varshney the increasing preference towards soyabean is a result of increasing awareness among the farmers and the commercial viability of the crop, which is now turning into a cash crop in India.
There is a view that soyabean cultivation needs industry support. "Till date, processing units for soyabean came up primarily in Indore and nearby areas. Gujarat had too few of such units. However, with rising demand for soyabean, farmers of late see lot of value in the crop," he added.
Mr Varshney added that the agricultural land in Gujarat is ideal for soyabean cultivation. In terms of productivity during Kharif season, if one hectare produces 1.8 tonnes of groundnut, the same area can produce 2-2.5 tonnes of soyabean.
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Additionally, there is less risk and expenses involved in the cultivation of soyabean.
The current year has witnessed substantial rise in the productivity of the crop in these districts.
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According to director of Gujarat Seed Corporation, BR Shah, the corporation has sold nearly 70 truckloads (7-lakh kg) of seeds, which is high as compared to previous year���s figure of 45 truckloads (4.5 lakh kg). For the next year, he expects the figure to touch 100-120 truckloads. ���Four years ago, we were hardly selling one lakh kg of seeds,��� he said.
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