Soybean planting in Madhya Pradesh has gathered pace despite a delayed start to the monsoon, aided by adequate rainfall across the key producing region, according to the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA).Based on a rapid survey of kharif 2026 sowing, SOPA estimated soybean acreage at 28.9 lakh hectares as of June 30, sharply higher than the Agriculture Ministry’s estimate of 6.9 lakh hectares. The industry body expects soybean acreage this kharif to surpass last year’s level.SOPA attributed the gap to delays in official reporting. “There is a seven to 10-day lag in reporting government data, which is the reason the official figures are lower than our estimates,” it said in a statement.“Due to the delayed monsoon, sowing began later than last year. However, with sufficient rainfall across most of Madhya Pradesh, planting has gathered pace and we expect the entire state to be covered by July 15,” said DN Pathak, Executive Director, SOPA.According to SOPA, soybean sowing in Madhya Pradesh had covered about 15.56 lakh hectares by the end of June, compared with the government’s estimate of 4.3 lakh hectares.In Maharashtra, SOPA pegged soybean acreage at 8.45 lakh hectares, against the government’s estimate of 1.19 lakh hectares. In Rajasthan, it said sowing has covered about 35-40 per cent of the targeted area, with acreage estimated at 3.5 lakh hectares, compared with the government’s 0.63 lakh hectares.“The sowing progress in Maharashtra is slow due to inadequate soil moisture, but we expect it to catch up over the next two weeks. Planting is progressing satisfactorily across the other major producing states,” Pathak said.SOPA said sowing progress varies widely across Maharashtra, with 40-50 per cent of the area covered in some districts, while others have completed only 5-10 per cent. Further progress will depend on timely rainfall.“We expect soybean acreage this year to exceed last year’s level. Many farmers who shifted to maize last year have returned to soybean because of favourable prices. Overall production, however, will depend on the distribution of rainfall over the next three months,” Pathak said.Published on July 1, 2026