Uneven rainfall distribution may affect kharif crop production in MP

The uneven distribution of rains in Madhya Pradesh threatens to hit the yield of major kharif crops, especially soybean and pulses.

The uneven distribution of rains in Madhya Pradesh threatens to hit the yield of major kharif crops, especially soybean and pulses.

Excessive rain in the western parts of the state has resulted in crop damage while deficient rains have affected soybean crop in some other parts, said experts. “Soybean yield in MP will be down by 10%,” scientist Dr P S Bhatnagar said.

Even as the yield in Malwa and Nimar region could be affected due to excessive rains, the crop is under stress in some of the eastern parts of the state, while crop condition is good in the northern parts.

Out of total estimated sowing area of 59 lakh hectares in MP, soybean crop is in poor condition in 18.3 lakh hectares, according to official estimates.

The condition of pulses, however, is relatively better with cultivation area of urad, tur and moong estimated to have increased over the previous year. The first production estimate of agriculture department suggests production of urad and moong to be higher than last year while tur production has been estimated to be lower. According to state agriculture department, farmers have grown urad on 10.63 lakh hectares, tur on 8.33 lakh hectares and moog on 2.01 lakh hectares.

During the Kharif season in 2014, soybean yield was 1,086 quintals per hectare while production was 60 lakh tonnes. As per the first crop estimates released by Union agriculture ministry, total soybean production in the country is estimated at 118 lakh tonnes, about eight lakh tonnes more than last year. However, independent experts remained skeptical about the government data.

“As far as production in MP is concerned, the cultivation area has increased but the yield will be less than last year,” Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) member Rajesh Agrawal said.

The soybean crop is also under stress in parts of Maharashtra and Rajasthan. “A more realistic picture will emerge once the final estimates are released,” Bhatnagar said.