Recent survey data released by SOPA indicates that the soybean cultivation area has remained consistent compared to the previous year. Despite some shifts from soybeans to crops like maize and pulses, there has also been a notable movement towards soybean from other kharif crops. Therefore, concerns about significant acreage reduction in soybeans this season may not be justified.

In the kharif seasons of 2023 and 2024, Soybean acreage in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan exhibited diverse patterns:

• Madhya Pradesh: Both government records and SOPA estimates indicated a slight reduction in area, with government data reporting -1.89% and SOPA estimating -1.45%.

• Maharashtra: Government figures showed a notable decrease of -5.90%, while SOPA data revealed an increase of 4.31% during the same period.

• Rajasthan: Government estimates reported a decrease of 7.54%, slightly higher than SOPA's recorded decline of 7.21%.

Moreover, the all-India Soybean acreage indicates a 4.52% decrease according to government records, contrasting with SOPA's marginal decrease of 0.32%.

Also, the Current assessments suggest no major threats to crop health across surveyed regions. However, future crop progress will heavily rely on the progression of the monsoon, rainfall distribution, and temperature patterns in the upcoming months.