MUMBAI (Commoditiescontrol) - The Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) has conducted an extensive health survey of soybean crop in major producing states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and rated 65 lakh hectares of crop as normal, followed by 20 lakh hectares as good and 14 lakh hectares in very good condition. Also it rated 12 lakh hectares crop as very poor.
DN Pathak, Executive Director, SOPA said that two teams of SOPA official visited fields in the states between August 21-29, 2016.
Madhya Pradesh
Area has decreased by about 9.2% over last year and has shifted to Urad, Maize, Red Gram, Sorghum and Paddy. The shift was as high as 30% in some areas. Between 5 to 10% of crop has been damaged in some low lying areas (Bhopal, Vidisha, Guna, Sagar, Damoh, Raisen) due to heavy rainfall and water logging. Most popular varieties are JS-9560, JS-9305, RVS-2001, JS-2029 and JS-2069. JS-335 was also seen in some pockets. Harvest is likely to start by 25th of September, 2016.
Maharashtra
Area increased by about 6% over 2015. Most popular Variety in the state is JS.335. Other varieties include JS.9305 and JS.9560. Much needed rains have taken place in Marathwada region recently.
Between 10 to 20% soybean area has been converted to Urad, Moong and Maize in Wardha, Nagpur and Chandrapur districts as compared to last year. In other districts of Vidarbh and Marathwada Area, area under soybean has increased by 10 to 20% as compared to last year. The shift to soybean is from cotton due to higher cost of cultivation and timely rains.
Rajasthan
Area under soybean has decreased by about 8.4% and converted to Urad and Maize. Most popular sowing Varieties are JS.9560, JS.335 and JS.9305. Between 5 to 10% of crop has been damaged in some low lying districts of the state due to heavy rainfall and water logging.
Rest of India
In A.P., Karnataka, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat and other states, there has been a 30% increase in area under soybean over last year. Most popular sowing Variety is JS.335.
(By Commoditiescontrol Bureau; +91-22-40015533)