Bidar may lose the distinction of being the largest soyabean-growing district, thanks to the sudden rise in the price of green gram and black gram.
Soya and sugarcane are the only major cash crops grown in Bidar district. Last year, the oil seed was grown on 1.15 lakh hectare. But now, the area is shrinking and it may not cross 95,000 hectares, farm scientists say.
“Of all crops, soyabean witnessed the most rapid growth in the district,” Ravi Deshmukh, head of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, said. “We introduced the crop in 2003-04 by motivating farmers to sow it on around 50 hectares.”
The crop has had a steady price range in the wholesale market due to the constant demand from the food processing industry, according to him. This year, however, green gram and black gram are fetching Rs. 8,000 per quintal. “Green gram and black gram crops were badly affected last year first due to hail storms and then prolonged dry spells. This has pushed up their prices,” C.R. Konda of the agriculture research station said.
However, it does not seem like the Bidar farmer has completely lost interest in soya, for its seeds are still in demand.
The Agricultural Department has sold around 15,000 quintals in just ten days this season.
