Indian farmers in M.P., the ‘soya bean State’, face rain and price fluctuations.

• Soya bean production in India is a significant industry, with Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra being the largest producers.
• The government’s minimum support price (MSP) of ₹6,000 per quintal is a significant challenge for farmers, who claim it doesn’t cover their costs.
• Input costs, government procurement, and weather irregularities have made soya bean cultivation unprofitable.
• In the Malwa region, harvesters from Punjab charge ₹1,200-₹1,500 per bigha.
• Low yield is another factor affecting the income of soya bean farmers, with yield dropping every year.
• India ranks fourth in terms of total sowing area for soya bean after the U.S., Brazil, and Argentina.
• India’s soya bean productivity has averaged between 900 and 1,200 kg/hectare annually.
• The low yield is attributed to factors such as weather patterns, crop duration, diseases, and crop management.
• Most Indian farmers prefer short-duration crops, as they grow two or three crops in a year.
• The crop’s potential is seen as an oilseed crop, with the Centre hiking the import duty on various edible oils in September.
• Only about 6-7% of the soya bean crop is used for food, as a source of vegetarian protein.
• The crop was introduced in India from the U.S. in a joint research project involving the University of Illinois, Chicago; G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttarakhand; and University of Jabalpur.