In Marathwada, soyabean gains over cotton
The area of cotton cultivation in Marathwada has reduced during this kharif season as more farmers have opted for soyabean over the traditional cash crop, implying a gradual shift in the cropping pattern in the region.
As per official data, the Aurangabad agricultural division — covering Aurangabad, Jalna and Beed districts — has reported soyabean sowing on 4.03 lakh hectare. This is 123% of the expected soyabean sowing. Latur division, which covers the remaining five districts of Marathwada has also seen soyabean sowing of 105% (13.99 lakh hectare).
On the other hand, cotton sowing has taken place only on 67% of the expected area of 6.97 lakh hectare in the Aurangabad division and 65% expected area (3.58 lakh hectare) in the Latur division as per the latest official data till July 5.
Aurangabad district agricultural superintendentTukaram Mote said soyabean has been emerging as a preferred crop over cotton in the region. “A range of factors, including lower cultivation cost, shorter harvesting period and resistance to more diseases and pests, has made soyabean an attractive crop for the farmers. Moreover, the unique ability of soyabean to increase soil fertility with nitrogen-fixation and international demand for the oilseed crop as animal and poultry feed also fetches good returns for the farmers,” he said.
In addition, soyabean is traditionally supplied to oil mills for production of edible oils and other derivates. This is considered an advantage of soyabean over cotton.
Vilas Deshpande, an Aurangabad-based farmer, who has cultivated soyabean on over 2.5 acre during the ongoing kharif season, said the attack of pink bollworm on cotton crops in the recent past was one of the reasons for the shift in cropping pattern. “Also, soyabean reaches the harvesting stage within 100-110 days, whereas cotton requires five months. The reduced harvesting time helps farmers cultivate supplementary crops, like chickpea, boosting the income,” he said.
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