Soyabean cultivation drops 9% to 100 lakh hectares

KOLKATA: The area under soybean cultivation has crossed 100 lakh hectares as on date as compared to 110 lakh hectares last year - a drop of 9 per cent, according to Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA).

SOPA has said that if rain occurs latest by July 20, then the crop development will be normal and satisfactory.

"There is a possibility that area under soybean this year will remain between 100 to 110 lakh hectares," said Davish Jain, chairman, SOPA.

Jain said that in Madhya Pradesh sowing of soybean started earlier as compared to last year. In Malwa region, it has been found that approximately 2 lakh hectare area is under severe moisture stress and the crop in this area is virtually lost. Almost 80 per cent sowing of Soybean was completed during the first spell of rains in mid June.

The crop sown in this spell is currently under moisture stress, but will still revive, in case the rain occurs within next 3-4 days. Otherwise, the yield in this area will be adversely affected, SOPA said.

There has been no attack of pest and disease as of now. Subsoil moisture is still present at a depth of 2.5 to 3 inches and it can sustain the standing crop for another one week. Over all vegetative growth is average and the crop condition is also average in Madhya Pradesh.

The area under soybean cultivation in Maharashtra is satisfactory and higher than the government’s normal area of 28 lakh hectares, SOPA chairman said. The crop in Latur division and Marathwada is under severe moisture stress and the productivity is likely to be adversely affected.

Major area in Amravati and Nagpur Division in Vidarbha region is seen to be average to fair. If the monsoon revives by early next week, it will improve the crop condition considerably, Jain said.

In Rajasthan, the area under soybean is likely to touch 10 lakh hectares, helped by late rains including recent rains and available irrigation facility. The crop is reported to be quite satisfactory, SOPA chairman said.