Date:04/08/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/08/04/stories/2005080400451200.htm

Back Area under soya may be down: Sopa survey

Our Bureau

Chennai , Aug. 3

THE area under soyabean this year has declined by three lakh hectares (lh) compared to last year, according to preliminary estimates by the Soyabean Processors Association of India (Sopa).

According to the estimates, soyabean has been sown in 69.07 lh against 72.08 lh last year. However, the final figures are awaited.

Over 55 per cent of the crop is in good or excellent condition, while the rest is either average or poor.

Madhya Pradesh showed 10 per cent decrease compared with the 38.64 lh covered last year, a Sopa press release said. At least 54 per cent of the soyabean area in Madhya Pradesh faced moisture stress and, therefore, the crop was likely to be either average or poor.

It said rains damaged the crop sown earlier in Sagar and Rewa divisions. On the other hand, the minor infestation of semi lopper in the crop sown early had been washed away by rains in the third week of July, leading to good condition of the crop.

In Maharashtra, the Sopa survey found the area under soyabean has gone up seven per cent to 20.03 lh and over 70 per cent of the crop was in good condition. In Rajasthan too, the area under soyabean has increased 15 per cent to 6.57 lh.