Soyabean area up 15 per cent

The total area under soyabean cultivation has increased by over 15 per cent in the 2004-2005 kharif season from the previous year, allaying fears of the drought situation according to the Soyabean Processors' Association (SOPA).

The total area has risen to 74.52 lakh hectare against 64.55 lakh hectare in the corresponding period last year. Of this, sowing has taken place in more than seven lakh hectare during the last phase of the current kharif season.

The sowing took place in four phases, first around mid-June, second around the last week of June and the beginning of July and subsequent sowing in the second and last week of July.

There was substantial delay in the arrival of rains after the first and specially the second round of sowing however, an increasing number of farmers have reportedly used better and improved agri-practice which could improve the productivity said a report from SOPA.

The rains in September will however determine the total output of soyabean crop in the kharif season.

The areas accounting for the largest share of soyabean cultivation are Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

According to the Central Organisation of Oil Industry and Trade (COOIT) data, the oil recovery from the Soyabean crop stood at 17 per cent last year.

In 2003-2004 the total production of soyabean was at 68.5 lakh tonne, of which 61.5 lakh tonne was available as marketable surplus for the crushing season.