The Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) has raised its concerns on the decline in the oilseeds acreage this kharif season (2017), where monsoon played truant hampering sowing prospects mainly for soybean and groundnut.

"This year, the rain fall is erratic particularly in Central part of India viz Eastern Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, the major soyabean growing belts. Overall monsoon has been 95 per cent of the normal and expected heavy showers in coming week. But the acreage under kharif oilseed crop is disappointing as farmers have moved from oilseeds to other crops," said Atul Chaturvedi, president, SEA in a letter on Wednesday.

As per the available data on September 14, kharif oilseed sowing was recorded at 172 lakh hectares as against 188.63 lakh hectare last year, down by nearly 16.6 lakh hectares or about 9 per cent. Most decline in kharif oilseed was seen in soybean by 9 lakh hectares and groundnut down by 5.4 lakh hectares. "Much of the reduction in oilseed acreage has been taken by cotton and sugar," the letter stated.

In view the reduction in acreage, the soybean production is likely down to 90 lakh tonnes as against about 105 lakh tonnes last years and groundnut 50 lakh tonnes as compared to 55 lakh tonnes last year.

"The silver lining is the expected carry forward of approximately 15 lakh tonnes of soybean to new season. The overall kharif oilseed crop is expected around 155 lakh tonnes compared to 177 lakh tonnes for last year," added Chaturvedi.

However, the Kharif Oilseed Crop survey by SEA Crop Estimate Committee headed by Govindbhai Patel will be finalised released soon, SEA informed.

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