The Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA),a national level body representing soybean processors, farmers, exporters, and brokers has released its soybean crop health survey.
SOPA said that two teams of SOPA officials conducted an extensive crop health survey from August 21 to 29, 2016 in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, covering 41 districts and 85 per cent of soybean area. Overall crop health is satisfactory. Salient features of the survey and current crop condition is given below:
State Wise Crop Health And Sowing Position Kharif 2016 as on 29/08/2016
Area in Lakh Hectares
| S. No. | Division/ District | Current Crop Condition & Sowing Area 2016 Kharif | ||||
| Very Poor | Normal | Good | Very Good | Total Area | ||
| 1 | Madhya Pradesh | 7.277 | 30.224 | 8.524 | 6.695 | 52.720 |
| 2 | Maharashtra | 2.736 | 22.255 | 8.450 | 5.798 | 39.240 |
| 3 | Rajasthan | 1.518 | 5.908 | 1.681 | 1.012 | 10.118 |
| 4 | Andhra Pradesh | 0.150 | 2.003 | 0.538 | 0.299 | 2.990 |
| 5 | Karnataka | 0.162 | 2.100 | 0.646 | 0.323 | 3.230 |
| 6 | Chattisgarh | 0.066 | 1.016 | 0.132 | 0.106 | 1.320 |
| 7 | Gujarat | 0.067 | 0.904 | 0.226 | 0.133 | 1.330 |
| 8 | Rest of India | 0.057 | 0.791 | 0.170 | 0.113 | 1.130 |
|
| G.Total | 12.031 | 65.202 | 20.366 | 14.478 | 112.078 |
* Area figures are of Government of India. Information for other state is based on various trade sources.
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.