5 major districts that grow soyabean in Madhya Pradesh

The state of Madhya Pradesh is the largest producer of soybeans in India, known for approx 52% of the country's total production. Soybean is the most significant oilseed crop, which provides the livelihoods for a significant number of farmers and creates employment opportunities throughout its value chain (harvesting, processing and marketing).

1. Ujjain

Ujjain has been considered a major contributor to Soybean production in the state. The land of the district is known for its fertile black soil and the proper facilities and technologies that support the agricultural practices to grow soybeans. The district is surrounded by the top cities, which support the trading of the crops grown.

Check the market updates in the Ujjain mandi with easy steps on the Shuru app.

2. Sehore

Sehore district is another area in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. It has a crucial contribution to the production of soybeans in the state. It has been the primary crop that is produced on the land. Sehore farmers produce a variety of soybean crops, which makes the yields more comprehensive and strong. Agricultural practices are properly aligned and planned to ensure productivity and overall efficacy.

3. Dewas

Dewas is known as the district where the production of soybeans was started. It consistently remains one of the major soybean-producing districts in Madhya Pradesh. The climate conditions and population with suitable farming experiences are a support for the production.

4. Indore

Indore, being an agricultural hub, is also surrounded by significant agricultural areas that contribute heavily to soybean production. As part of the Indore division, where soybean traditionally dominates the Kharif season, the district plays a vital role. Its ability to process units and have strong market links make it an important hub for the soybean trade.

You can check the live updates on the mandi and the changes in the Indore mandi through the Shuru app.

5. Dhar

Dhar district consistently shows strong performance in both soybean area and productivity. Situated in the western part of Madhya Pradesh, it benefits from the typical Malwa plateau conditions. The district's farmers have embraced soybean cultivation, making it a key agricultural commodity.

Challenges Faced by Farmers Growing Soybeans

Climate change: Soybeans in Madhya Pradesh are mainly grown under rain-fed conditions, and farmers are highly reliant on monsoon rainfall. The occurrence of unexpected weather events leads to challenges for farmers, such as a delayed onset of monsoon, long dry periods during the growing stages, or a drought or an excess rain situation, resulting in damage. You must check the effects of climate on crops for awareness and updates.

Pest and disease problems: Soybean crops can be affected by a range of different pests and diseases, which can impact overall yield losses if not managed effectively and timeously.

Market price fluctuations: Due to the market and domestic consumption variations, farmers do not have certainty on the sale price before they start their production. Global soybean price variations, changes in domestic demand, procurement variations and market competition contribute to unstable and sometimes un-remunerative incomes for farmers, making it difficult for them to cover their production costs.

Rising input costs: Quality seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and labour costs continue to escalate. Therefore the cost of production continues to increase. This increases the cost of cultivation and erodes profit margins for farmers when market prices remain stable or low.

Supply of quality seeds and inputs: The timely supply of high-quality and certified seeds is essential for good yield. However, farmers sometimes find it difficult to obtain enough reliable seeds, which causes sub-standard germination, re-sowing, and decreased productivity. Similar circumstances can arise with the timing of appropriate plant protection chemicals.

Irregularity in water availability: Soybean is grown by a large number of farmers in Madhya Pradesh, and a proportion of those farms depend only on rainfall to provide water. Due to poor irrigation infrastructure and availability, farmers have limited choice in managing dry stretches during the monsoon or assigning consistent moisture, exposing them to varying monsoon conditions.

Soil Health: Continuously growing soybeans without adequate crop rotations or balanced nutrient management will remove certain soil nutrients necessary to maintain good soil health and fertility alike, over time and impact sustainable productivity.

Strategies for Sustainable Soybean Farming

It sets out the measures and strategies being enacted or proposed to address the challenges and maintain the long-term sustainability and profitability of soybean production and trading in the Madhya Pradesh mandi.

Encouraging crop diversification: Encouraging producers to grow a variety of crops instead of only growing soybeans can help break pest and disease cycles, improve soil health, and crop rotation as a cultural practice, and diversify producers' income sources. Although it reduces the risk of dependency on price changes of a single crop.

Developing and improving seed varieties: Ongoing research and development, there are various types of soybeans produced. Farmers must look into the suitability of crops which can be properly produced. It helps producers to get better yields and be efficient.

Improving irrigation systems: Infrastructure investments in irrigation systems, such as canals, borewells, farm ponds, and micro-irrigation systems, are important for farmers.  Farmers in MP are dependent on uncertain rainfall from the monsoon season and upgrades in irrigation systems offer farmers an additional source and option to mitigate the effects of drought in years of limited monsoon rain and to stabilize their crop yields.

Value addition and processing: Promoting the establishment of more local processing can increase overall demand for raw soybeans, saving transportation costs and increasing the chance for farmers to make a better living by being involved in a value-added activity.

Implementing government initiatives: Making direct market access for farmers easier, building Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and ensuring the MSP is implemented properly, can secure a more fair and relatively stable producer price for the farmer, which can avoid distress sales from a lack of market options entirely.

Farmer Training: Providing regular training programs and effective agricultural extension services is necessary to facilitate learning for farmers about modern farming techniques, the identification of pests and diseases, nutrient management, climate resilient practices, and market intelligence, in order to provide knowledge and thereby give farmers the power to deliver better decisions. Farmers must follow the tips to protect the crops from challenges and ensure overall efficacy.