Farmers in Madhya Pradesh, who have planted a record area under soyabean, are now looking up to the Sun god to reap a good harvest.
The prevailing cloud conditions in central India for the past few weeks have triggered some concerns among the farming community, which is anticipating better prices than last year.
Soyabean prices have almost doubled in the past one year to the current levels of Rs 4,000 a tonne on tight global supplies following drought in Brazil and Argentina and now in the US.
In India, farmers have planted soyabean on an all-time high acreage of 106 lakh hectares this year against 102 lakh hectares last year. The crop is currently in the flowering stage in Madhya Pradesh, the largest growing State, which saw an excess downpour of 15 per cent, especially in the western parts.
“The trickle is still on and the cloud condition has been there for almost a month. Unless there is some sunshine in the next 8-10 days, plant growth could be stunted,” said Rabindra Thakur, a farmer in his mid-50s from Semlya Chau in Indore district.
However, scientists at the Indore-based Directorate of Soyabean Research (DSR), said the cloud condition in central India is not unusual during this time of the year.
“The crop is in good condition so far, as the rainfall is very well-distributed. There is no major threat of any pest attack, but a sunny grace will definitely help the crop,” said V.S. Bhatia, Principal Scientist at DSR.
Thakur, who has planted four different varieties in his family holding of 15 hectares, is expecting better prices this year. “The global crop is short this year mainly because of the drought in the US. We expect prices in the range of Rs 3,500-4,000 a quintal,” he added.
Thakur, who earned between Rs 1,700 and Rs 2,300 a quintal last year, said the cost of cultivation had gone up to around Rs 18,000/hectare, as prices of fertilisers, labour and fuel have risen.
Maharashtra crop
“The crop is as good as last year, or better” said Rajesh Agarwal, spokesperson for the Soyabean Processors Association of India. He expected the final area to be higher by up to 2 lakh hectares from the reported 106.40 lakh hectares, as the industry believes there could be some under-reporting of acreage especially in Maharashtra.
Farmers in Maharashtra, especially Vidarbha, have planted more soyabean as compared to cotton last year. The total area is up by 1.8 lakh hectares to 31.8 lakh hectares. In MP, the total area this year may exceed the last reported number of 58.12 lakh hectares.
Price trend
Agarwal said the uptrend in prices in recent months would depend on the climate in US. The USDA has already forecast a 12 per cent decline in this year’s crop to 2.692 billion bushels (one bushel equals 27.215 kg).
“If the drought in US persists and the crop gets trimmed further, there will be high demand for the Indian soyabean and meal this year,” he said.