Sharp decline in soybean sowing: Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Gujarat record major drops
17-Jul-2025 08:09 AM
Sharp decline in soybean sowing: Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Gujarat record major drops
★ In the Kharif season 2025, soybean sowing has seen a significant decline compared to last year.
★ As of July 11, 2025, soybean has been sown in 99.03 lakh hectares across India, compared to 107.78 lakh hectares during the same period last year — a drop of 8.75 lakh hectares.
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State-wise status (as per data released by State Agriculture Departments):
Maharashtra (till 14.07.2025):
★ This year, 44.67 lakh hectares have been sown, compared to 47.70 lakh hectares last year — a major fall of 3.03 lakh hectares.
Gujarat (till 14.07.2025):
★ Sowing has reached only 1.90 lakh hectares this year, down from 2.55 lakh hectares — a decline of 0.65 lakh hectares.
Karnataka (till 11.07.2025):
★ Soybean has been sown in 4.01 lakh hectares, compared to 4.26 lakh hectares last year — a drop of 0.25 lakh hectares.
Telangana (till 16.07.2025):
★ Sowing stood at 3.30 lakh hectares, slightly down from 3.34 lakh hectares — a marginal decline of 0.04 lakh hectares.
Rajasthan (till 14.07.2025):
★ Soybean sowing dropped to 9.29 lakh hectares from 10.24 lakh hectares last year — a decrease of 0.95 lakh hectares.
★ In these five major states, total soybean sowing is 63.17 lakh hectares this year, compared to 68.09 lakh hectares last year — a decline of 4.92 lakh hectares.
★ Several key soybean-producing states have reported substantial decreases in sowing, which could impact overall production.
★ The primary reason behind this decline is the continued low market prices of soybean throughout the year, which has discouraged farmers from expanding sowing.