The yield of the soybean crop is likely to get affected in a major way due to the attack of Yellow Mosaic Virus, farmers claimed here today.
In Indore region only, the soybean crop was affected in 1.5 to 1.6 lakh hectare area resulting in drastic fall in the total production, a farmer leader said.
“Due to the various diseases, the size of the oilseeds produced in the region is very small resulting in less payment to the farmers. We have demanded from the administration to compensate the loss adequately,” Bhartiya Kisan Sangh office bearer, Jagdish Rawalia told PTI.
Mr. Rawalia said the soybean crop was also affected in other parts of the state due to the diseases but it was not yet officially confirmed.
Agriculture Department’s Joint Director, R. C. Raghuwanshi admitted that attack of Yellow Mosaic Virus has affected the soybean crops.
“It is feared that virus attack will reduce fifty per cent production of the soybean crop,” he said, adding a survey is being undertaken to find out how much soybean area was affected due to the virus attack.
Soybean Processors apex body, SOPA had predicted bumper production (61 lakh tonne) of the crop as it was sown in 55.19 lakh hectare area.
SOPA Coordinator, Rajesh Agrawal said that they have commissioned a study to find out exact damage the crop has suffered and are collecting figures afresh to ascertain actual production of the crop.
