Soybean sown over 77.16 lakh hectare acre

Indore, Aug 11 (UNI) The oilseed crop soybean has been sown over 77.16 lakh hectares in India this kharif season -- till July end -- as against the corresponding figure of 76.720 lakh hectares during 2005-06.

The sown area this season is 95 per cent of the targeted area.

Referring to a recent assessment, Soybean Processors Association of India Chairman Rajesh Agrawal said, ''In Madhya Pradesh, sown area is 44.55 lakh hectares. After initial good germination, crop conditions improved due to rain.'' The crop is in good vegetative stage, however, weed infestation has been observed in Hoshangabad, Sehore, Bhopal and Harda due to continuous showers.

Mr Agrawal said estimated area under cultivation till date is expected to be 98 per cent of the target in this state. No shift in area under soybean to any other kharif crop was observed.

Area under soybean cultivation in Maharashtra has been 23.07 lakh hectares with the precipitation exceeding normal levels in most soybean-raising districts. The coverage was 97 per cent by the end of July. In some areas of Kolhapur and Sangli, excess rain has been observed and might affect the crop.

''Corresponding figures are Rajasthan 5.8 lakh hectares, Andhra Pradesh 1.06 lakh hectares, Karnataka 1.54 lakh hectares, Chhattisgarh 0.82 lakh hectares and 0.30 lakh hectares in other parts of the country. Crop condition is fairly good,'' Mr Agrawal added.

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