The Hindu Business Line : Weekend rains hold hope for soya farmers

RAINS over the weekend across the soyabean growing areas of Madhya Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan may bring some relief to soyabean farmers, but worries about crop failure are far from over.

"The weather has not been kind. After a delayed sowing, we had a dry August. The crop should not face moisture stress at the time of flowering and podding, which takes place towards the end of August and early September," Mr Rajesh Agrawal, Chairman, Soyabean Processors Association of India (SOPA) told Business Line.

The soyabean crop is at a critical stage at this juncture. "Rains over this weekend in Madhya Pradesh and eastern Rajasthan have brightened prospects but the crop needs some more rains," said an official of a company into soyabean production.

Initial estimates by SOPA said the area under soyabean cultivation was marginally down at 69.07 lakh hectares for the 2005-2006 season against 72.08 lakh hectares in the previous season.

But according to the Agriculture Ministry, 76.56 lakh hectares have been brought under soya against 78.76 lakh hectares last year.

At the end of last week, the soyabean industry was expecting a crop loss of 10-20 per cent. In parts of Madhya Pradesh, the crop was showing signs of wilting due to moisture stress.

"But the scenario has changed for the better with the revival of monsoon. These rains are life saving," said an official of SOPA.

Rains during the time of flowering and podding are crucial for soyabean, a rain-dependant crop. "The situation could improve further if rains continue for another week. Soyabean output could touch 58 lakh tonnes," Mr Agrawal said.

The country's soyabean production during the 2004-2005 season, according to SOPA, was 58.51 lt — with Madhya Pradesh accounting for 34 lt, Maharashtra 17 lt and Rajasthan four lt. However, the Centre has pegged the production at 75.10 lt.

Despite the revival of rains, soyabean productivity could be impacted, said an official of the National Research Centre for Soyabean. "The crop, though delayed, was growing well in the initial stages, but the dry spell was too prolonged," he said. At least five lakh hectares of sown area was impacted by pest attacks adding to the farmers' woes, he added. However, these rains could mitigate some of the impact of pest attacks. Pests such as girdle beetle attack the soya crop during dry spells.

A shortfall in soyabean production is a major worry for the processing industry facing competition from imports. However, much would depend on the global soyabean production. "A clear picture on the US and Brazilian crop of soyabean would emerge by the end of this month," Mr Agrawal said.

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