Uneven rain spell across the state has left soyabean farmers and industry and worried lot. In some parts of Malwa region where heavy rainfall was recorded, Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) noticed yellow leaves on saplings that might affect yield.
"In Ujjain, Ratlam and nearby areas where heavy rain was recorded yellow leaves have been found. Due to this flowering and pot formation gets affected which might lead to yield loss and less productivity. It is initial days and we are still analyzing the whole situation and teams are working on it," said SOPA chairman, Davish Jain.
In other regions of state after a month-long dry spell, things seem to be looking up. Malwa region faced non-stop rain in the past month which resulted into re-sowing in areas where crop loss was suspected.
This year, sowing of soybean began earlier as compared to last year. In Malwa region, approximately 2 lakh hectares were under severe moisture stress and crop in this area was virtually lost. "Largely adequate rain showers in most part of the Malwa region have helped soya producers. Month-long dry spell had created a possibility of crop loss but soon re-sowing was done in those areas where crop loss was expected," said DN Pathak, executive director, soyabean processors association of India (SOPA).
More than 80% sowing of soybean was completed during the first spell of rain in mid June. Crop sown during this spell was under moisture stress. "At present sowing has been done on 100 lakh hectares," he added.
SOPA has expressed a possibility that this year area under soybean will be between 100 to 110 lakh hectares. As per SOPA officials' analysis would be conducted on the region where leaves are affected.
Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
