Date:24/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/07/24/stories/2006072400010500.htm

Back Soya sowing over in 85 pc of targeted area

Our Bureau

Chennai , July 23

Sowing of soyabean has been completed in 85 per cent of the target area of 82.052 lakh hectares (lh), with Madhya Pradesh accounting for the bulk of the coverage.

According to the Soyabean Processors Association of India (SOPA), of the targeted area of 46.032 lh in Madhya Pradesh, sowing has been completed in 41.746 lh. Last year, soyabean was sown in 41.92 lh.

In Maharashtra, 80 per cent of the targeted area of 23.890 lh has been covered. This is against last year's coverage of 23.89 lh.

In Rajasthan, 4.482 lh have been covered against the targeted 7.47 lh and last year's 6.98 lh. Coverage is lagging in Andhra Pradesh where only 41 per cent of the targeted area of 1.3 lh has been covered.

So far, 69.39 lh have come under soyabean

SOPA also said there was no shift of area under soyabean to any other crop in Madhya Pradesh.