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Farmers say that soybean is considered one of the ensured cash crops in terms of high returns, but factors like importing soybean cakes as fodder and reluctance in government procurement have affected it.
Mumbai: In view of the huge losses in soybean cultivation in Maharashtra last year, the interest of farmers has reduced this time. Soybean cultivation is expected to decrease this time in the state. While soybean cultivation is considered very beneficial for farmers. Officials of the Agriculture Department said on Sunday that due to low returns on the yield last year, the area under soybean cultivation in Maharashtra is expected to be reduced by two lakh hectares. Farmers say that soybean is considered one of the ensured cash crops in terms of high returns, but factors like importing soybean cakes as fodder and reluctance in government procurement have affected it.
Lack of procurement decreased due to delay
Apart from this, damage caused by irregular rainfall, delay in procurement by the government on the minimum support price (MSP), which has earned less. Farmers said that this is the reason why this year has reduced interest in soybean cultivation. An official said that last year, soybean cultivation in the state was done on 52 lakh hectares. This time we estimate that it will be reduced to 50 lakh hectares, that is, a decline of two lakh hectares. Srinivas Kadlag, a farmer of Ahilyanagar, said that the government cannot buy the entire soybean crop and traders misuse this situation. The rates mentioned above are real earnings. Disappointed with last year’s trends, soybean cultivation has been affected.
The produce did not get good prices in the market
He also claimed that poultry farmers always unite and keep pressure to keep the prices of soybean under control. It is worth noting that when the prices of soybean in the market were good due to increasing demand in 2021-22, the All India Poultry Association sought permission from the Central Government to import soybean-based fodder for poultry, resulting in prices falling. For western Maharashtra, the importance of sugarcane is important for the farmers of Marathwada. Manik Kadam, the leader of the self -respecting Shetkari organization, said that farming increased in the Kharif season of 2024, but the produce did not get good prices in the market. The Center also did not buy the produce nor gave financial assistance to the troubled farmers. This may affect the decision of farmers to turn to other crops.
Seeds and fertilizers available in sufficient quantity: Department of Agriculture
According to the data of the State Agriculture Department, Maharashtra has planned to sow crops in a total of 144.97 lakh hectare area including grains, pulses, oilseeds and cotton. While 19.14 lakh quintal seeds are required. Currently 25.08 lakh quintal seeds are available. Soybean requires especially 13.25 lakh quintal seeds. While 17.15 lakh quintals are in stock. Despite an estimated decline in the area of soybean cultivation, the authorities have assured the farmers that both seeds and fertilizers are available in sufficient quantity. Officials said that the state has received a total of 46.82 lakh metric tonnes of fertilizer quota, while 25.57 lakh tonnes are in stock.
Target of cotton cultivation is 41 lakh hectares
He said that the use of fertilizer in the last kharif season was 44.30 lakh tonnes. He said that the government has set a target of 204.21 lakh tonnes of food grains and oilseeds in this season. Quality Control Director Sunil Borkar said that there are adequate seed reserves for major crops including soybean, rice, pigeonpea, moong and urad. Seed samples will be inspected to maintain quality standards. According to officials, the target for cotton cultivation has been set 41 lakh hectares, which is the same as last year. 1.22 lakh quintal seeds are available compared to the requirement of 82 thousand quintals. He said that 15.25 lakh hectares of area have been covered.
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