Soybean Procurement Progress Faces Challenges

Soybean procurement in Madhya Pradesh has moved slower than expected, raising concerns among farmers. Government officials have purchased only 0.204 million tonnes of soybeans within 40 days, far below the target of 1.3 million tonnes. With just 25 days remaining, many farmers fear the procurement goal may not be met.

Officials blame high moisture levels in the crop for the delays. However, they expect the process to gain speed in the coming days.

Farmer Participation and Registration

Farmer enthusiasm for selling soybeans appears low. By early October, 0.4 million farmers had registered to sell their produce. Yet, the government has completed procurement from only 77,000 farmers so far. To boost participation, the state government has kept the registration window open, even though it started back in September.

Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya shared recent procurement figures. He reported that 20,000 tonnes of soybeans arrive daily at mandis and procurement centers. Vijayvargiya emphasized the Chief Minister’s directive for ministers to visit procurement sites and ensure farmers face no issues.

Madhya Pradesh Leads Soybean Cultivation

Madhya Pradesh now leads India in soybean cultivation, surpassing Rajasthan and Maharashtra. This year, farmers planted soybeans across 5.5 million hectares in the state, with production estimates exceeding 5.2 million tonnes.

Nationally, soybean production in 2024 is projected to reach 12.581 million tonnes, a 5.96% increase from last year, according to the Soybean Processors Association of India. The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare also reported an expansion in soybean cultivation during the Kharif season. The national area under soybean increased by 0.2 million hectares, reaching 12.511 million hectares.

Conclusion

The slow pace of soybean procurement in Madhya Pradesh continues to frustrate farmers. While the state has achieved remarkable success in soybean cultivation, delays risk undermining the government’s targets. Efforts to improve operations at procurement centers must accelerate to address farmer concerns and ensure smoother processes in the remaining weeks.





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