Date:06/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/10/06/stories/2006100604161300.htm

Back Soya output put at 71.49 lakh tonnes

Our Bureau

Higher coverage, rise in yield

Chennai , Oct. 5

Higher yield and increase in acreage are likely to result in soyabean production rising by at least 10 lakh tonnes to 71.49 lakh tonnes this year, according to the Soyabean Processors Association of India (Sopa). While the area under soyabean has increased by one lakh hectares this year, yield is projected at 927 kg a hectare against 799 kg last year.

As per Sopa's third survey, yield in Maharashtra is expected to be the highest in the country at 1,040 kg, while yield in Andhra Pradesh is seen at 940 kg. In Madhya Pradesh, the soyabean hub of the country, it is projected at 885 kg.

However, with a rise of nearly three lakh hectares in the coverage in Madhya Pradesh, the production in that State is estimated at 39.49 lakh tonnes (33.35 lakh tonnes last year). Rains in August and up to the third week of September in Madhya Pradesh could help in increasing yields, the survey said. The crop was expected to be good in at least 10 lakh hectares of the total 44 lakh hectares under soya.

In Maharashtra, the output is seen at 23.98 lakh tonnes (19.93 lakh tonnes) despite a slippage in coverage to 23.07 lakh hectares from 23.89 lakh hectares last year. The crop in over 50 per cent of the area was found to be in excellent shape, according to the survey.

While production in Rajasthan is seen almost unchanged at 4.9 lakh tonnes, it was estimated lower by 30,000 tonnes in Andhra Pradesh at one lakh tonnes. In other parts of the country also, production could be lower by 10,00 tonnes.

The trade estimate is less than the Agriculture Ministry's projection of 80 lakh tonnes against 83.5 lakh tonnes last year.