India's soyabean production in the 2010-11 crop year could be better than last year's despite a marginal drop in the sowing area if the weather remains conducive over the next two months, according to industry body.
The area under coverage for soyabean, which is grown in Kharif season, has fallen to 9.3 million hectares from 9.67 million hectares in Kharif 2009, according to the data collected by the Soyabean Processors Association Of India (SOPA).
"Area is slightly lower than the last Kharif season and the fall is not 10-15 per cent as it was expected in the beginning of sowing season," SOPA Co-ordinator Rajesh Agrawal told PTI.
Asked about the likely production this year, he said it was too early to tell.
"At present, crop condition is very good. If weather remains conducive for the remaining period of the season, then we should have atleast last year's crop size or may be even better," Agrawal said.
Soyabean production stood at 9.72 million tonnes in 2009-10 crop year, according to SOPA estimate. However, as per the government data, the output was 10.04 million tonnes.
According to SOPA, the industry body said that in Madhya Pradesh, the country's largest producer of the oilseed, the area under soyabean cultivation has gone up to 5.52 million hectares from 5.29 million hectares last year.
However, the area under soyabean has declined by 17.1 per cent to 2.5 million hectares in Maharashtra -- the second largest producer -- from 3.1 million hectares last year owing to the late onset of the monsoon in Maharashtra.