In its first survey on soyabean crop for kharif season 2017, the Soyabean Processors' Association of India (SOPA) has reported a 6.4 per cent decline in the area under soyabean at 102.6 lakh hectares against 109.7 lakh hectares last year.

During the period from August 14 to 20, 2017, two teams of SOPA officials had conducted an extensive field survey in 42 major soyabean growing districts of three states Madhya Pradesh (23), Maharashtra (13) and Rajasthan (6), to assess the factors such as shift in area, crop condition and expected productivity.

Re-sowing in some areas

In its observations, SOPA noted that even if the monsoon arrived on time and the sowing of soyabean was done during June 10 to July 20, 2017, there were some instances of re-sowing in some areas because of an extended dry spell.

"Overall condition of the soyabean crop in most of the areas is normal. In some parts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, where light soil exists, soybean crop has already been damaged due to moisture stress, which may affect the overall productivity adversely in these areas," SOPA said in a statement.

While states such as Maharashtra and Rajasthan reported no change in acreage, extended dry spell led to pests and insects attack in some districts of Madhya Pradesh. However, no threat to crop by weeds was seen.

SOPA further commented that the recent spell of rains over the past couple of days will help save the crop from further loss in yield.

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