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Chennai, Aug. 5 Soyabean coverage in the country is likely to touch a record 84 lakh hectares (lh) this year, according to the Soyabean Processors Association of India.

In a report on the crop coverage and condition, the association said so far, 80.82 lh had been brought under the oilseed but a revision that could lead to the record coverage was likely.

The estimated coverage is against 71.5 lh brought under the crop last year.

Madhya Pradesh is expected to top yet again in acreage with nearly 47 lh being brought under the oilseeds against 39.42 lh last year.

According to the association, germination in the crop is good, while the growth is also good.

This year, non-traditional areas such as Guna Shivpuri, Jhabua and Khargone have opted to sow soyabean.

Maharashtra follows Madhya Pradesh in coverage but the acreage currently is lagging behind a tad compared with last year.

So far, 22.852 lh have been brought under the oilseed against 24 lh last year. The association said the crop was showing a good growth.

The area under the crop has increased in Rajasthan also. Coverage has gone up to 6.10 lh from 5.8 lh.

Crop condition was good, while no incidence of pest and disease had been reported.

Coverage in Andhra Pradesh has shown a decline as also in Karnataka, while in Chhattisgarh has increased to nearly one lh from 0.8 lh, according to the association.

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