Patchy and uneven distribution of rainfall in soybean growing regions has left industry experts divided over acreage and production this season.
Satyanarayan Agarwal, president, Central Organisation for Oil Industry & Trade (COOIT) said the overall area under soybean may remain less between five and seven per cent this year due to a shortfall in rain across major growing states, including Maharashtra. “The loss in acreage, especially in Maharashtra, is unlikely to be recovered even if the intensity increases.” Soybean sowing starts with the onset of monsoon and continues until the second week of July, while in areas where crops are damaged, re-sowing begins and concludes in the third week of July.
Maharashtra, which contributes nearly one-third of soybean output in India, has reported only 977,900 hectares (ha) sown till July 9, against a target of 2.53 million ha. Although the state has received 152.18 mm of rainfall, scattered rain in soybean-rich western Maharashtra has resulted in lower overall acreage.
However, Soybean Processors’ Association spokesperson Rajesh Agrawal said the shortfall in acreage in some parts of the country will comfortably be bridged by the end of the season.
“Last year, total area under soybean was reported at 93 lakh ha. This year, we will surely achieve this figure of not higher.” The monsoon started on a good note, with 11 per cent above normal rainfall in June However, rain in July were not adequate with 25 per cent below normal rainfall for the week ended July 6. Rainfall for the season as a whole narrowed to one per cent above normal between June 1 and July 6, a Citi report said.
The ministry of agriculture reported eight per cent increase in total sowing area at 3.68 million ha as on July 8 this year, against 3.42 million ha at the same time last year. Soybean sowing has been a cause of concern for the vegetable oil industry, said B V Mehta, executive director of the Solvent Extractors’ Association.