Soybean crop in Rajasthan will not be affected despite pest attack: SOPA

Soybean crop in Rajasthan will not be affected despite pest attack in certain areas of Rajasthan, according to Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA). SOPA officials conducted a survey of soybean crop in Rajasthan between 6th to 8th September, 2015 to access the crop condition. It was observed that the sowing of the soybean was done in the last week of June and approximately 70% of the total area was covered by early maturing soybean varieties.

SOPA observed that in Pratapgarh attacks of insect were observed in some area and the crop in some area was under severe moisture stress. In surrounding area of Chotisadri, sowing of Soybean was done in first week of August and the crop is at flowering stage. Attack of white fly, semi-looper and yellow mosaic was observed. Approximately 10% of the total area under soybean in Pratapgarh district is affected by insects and the farmers are spraying the insecticide in the fields. The insect attack will not affect the production. The crop in remaining areas is normal.

In Chittorgarh attack of insects was observed in some areas. The crop condition is however, normal. In Bundi heavy attack of semi-looper and tobacco caterpillar was observed in surrounding areas of Bundi. The farmers are spraying the insecticide in the field and the production will be normal. The farmers of the canal area are irrigating the crop. The crop condition is normal.

In Kota farmers are irrigating the crop and the crop condition is normal

In Baran the crop is normal. Minor attack of insects was seen and farmers are irrigating the crop. Crop in the area is at pod-filling stage. In some areas of Jhalawar, crop growth is weak. SOPA said that rains are required in the whole of the state and if immediate rains do not come then the production will be affected.