The production of soyabean might be affected due to late monsoon showers that delayed the sowing process of the commodity Soyabean output although estimated to be high this year is likely to be affected by low monsoon showers. According to a poll conducted by FoodProcessing360, 83% of the respondents felt that delayed monsoon this year would lower soyabean production, while 17% of the respondents are uncertain about the same.
 “Rainfall is one of the key natural resources that facilitate irrigation. Therefore, late monsoon showers, which started only from latter half of June, have delayed the sowing process of soyabean. In this situation, building of dams or usage of sprinklers could help to lower the dependency on rainfall for a short period of time,” says Ashok Nagpal, director of Deven Overseas, a mid-sized soyabean exporter in Indore, Madhya Pradesh (MP).Some of the major soyabean growing regions such as MP and Maharashtra have witnessed rainfall below normal level. The approach of monsoon has been slow in the major soyabean growing regions due to cyclones. Therefore, owing to low rainfall, farmers have not been able to irrigate crops. Cyclone hit certain parts of South India like Kerala just a day before monsoon showers were expected. As a result, sowing process of soyabean has been affected, which is likely to lower overall output of the commodity in the country.
Optimistic approach
While speaking to a FoodProcessing360 correspondent, Rajesh Agarwal, spokesperson and coordinator of Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA), says, “It was estimated by the India Meteorological Department that monsoon would commence early this year but there has been a delay already. However, I am optimistic about more or less good production of soyabean in the country as monsoon showers over the next few days will prove to be favourable for the crop.” Mr Agarwal added that usage of pesticides and removal of weeds would further help in increasing soyabean output as well as improve production and quality of the commodity.
Sabrina Mitchell
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