Soybean Cultivation in India Breaking the Productivity Jinx

The Soybean Processors Association of India Scheme No. 53, Near Malviya Nagar, A.B. Road, Indore

Phone : 0731-2556530, Fax : 0731-2556533, E-mail : sopa@sopa.org

Presentation by: D.N. Pathak

Executive Director

INTRODUCTION §  The Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) is the

National Apex Organization of Soybean Processors, Refiners, Exporters, and other stake holders including, Inspection and Certification Agencies, Laboratories Shippers, Cargo Handling Agencies, Brokers and other Trade intermediaries.

§  SOPA is the only trade body in the country which works at the farm level, directly with the farmers for increasing Soybean Productivity. Our farm activities include a Seed Production Programme, Front Line Demonstrations, Farmers Service Center and Farmers Training.

§  The Association is recognised by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, as a Trade Promotion Organisation and is represented on all major important Govt. Advisory Committees at the Central and State level which include Ministries of Commerce & Industry, Agriculture, Finance, Foreign Trade, Food Processing etc.

WHERE INDIA STANDS IN SOYBEAN?

India normally produces only a little over 3% of world’s soybean which is estimated to be 320 million tons this year. In 2015, our production fell to only 7.4 million tons (SOPA estimates), due to erratic monsoon.

Our average productivity is lowest in the world and is only one third of world average.

90% of soybean is grown in three states, MP, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

India is the only country which does not grow GM Soybean.

From an export of over 4 million tons of soy meal annually, our export in 2015-16 has fallen to just about 350,000 tons, mainly because we cannot compete on price, even with our Non-GM USP.

AREA UNDER SOYBEAN CULTIVATION

YEAR US BRAZIL ARGENTINA CHINA INDIA OTHERS

2005-06 28.834 22.229 15.200 9.591 7.800 9.457

2006-07 30.190 20.700 16.300 9.304 8.120 9.950

2007-08 25.959 21.300 16.371 8.754 8.800 9.664

2008-09 30.222 21.700 16.000 9.127 9.510 9.880

2009-10 30.907 23.500 18.600 9.190 9.730 10.630

2010-11 31.003 24.200 18.300 8.516 9.600 11.745

2011-12 29.856 25.000 17.577 7.889 10.270 12.538

2012-13 30.814 27.700 19.750 7.172 10.700 13.642

2013-14 30.858 30.100 19.400 6.791 12.200 13.655

2014-15 33.423 32.100 19.300 6.800 10.908 15.608

2015-16 33.109 33.300 20.000 6.550 11.650 16.129 Source : Oilseed: World Market and Trade, March 2016 issue, Published by USDA.

In Million Hectare

WORLD SOYBEAN PRODUCTION In Million Tons

Year US Brazil Argentina China India Others

2005-06 83.507 57.000 40.500 16.350 7.000 16.452

2006-07 87.001 59.000 48.800 15.080 7.690 18.670

2007-08 72.859 61.000 46.200 12.725 9.470 16.709

2008-09 80.749 57.800 32.000 15.540 9.300 16.637

2009-10 91.470 69.000 54.500 14.980 9.700 20.836

2010-11 90.663 75.300 49.000 15.080 10.100 24.113

2011-12 84.291 66.500 40.100 14.485 11.700 23.243

2012-13 82.791 82.000 49.300 13.050 12.200 29.286

2013-14 91.389 86.700 53.500 11.950 9.500 29.706

2014-15 106.878 96.200 61.400 12.150 8.700 33.237

2015-16 106.934 100.000 58.500 12.000 8.000 34.772 Source : Oilseed: World Market and Trade, March 2016 issue, Published by USDA.

WORLD SOYBEAN PRODUCTIVITY In Kg/Hectare

Year US Brazil Argentina China Others India Gap over

Brazil 2005-06 2896 2564 2664 1705 1740 897 -1667

2006-07 2882 2850 2994 1621 1876 947 -1903

2007-08 2807 2864 2822 1454 1729 1076 -1788

2008-09 2672 2664 2000 1703 1684 978 -1686

2009-10 2960 2936 2930 1630 1960 997 -1939

2010-11 2924 3112 2678 1771 2053 1052 -2060

2011-12 2823 2660 2281 1836 1854 1139 -1521

2012-13 2687 2960 2496 1820 2147 1140 -1820

2013-14 2962 2880 2758 1760 2175 779 -2101

2014-15 3198 2997 3181 1787 2129 798 -2199

2015-16 3230 3003 2925 1832 2156 687 -2316

Source : Oilseed: World Market and Trade, March 2016 issue, Published by USDA.

INDIAN OILSEEDS ECONOMY

India was almost self-sufficient for edible oils in the early nineties. However, as population and demand rose, it was met by imports and little attention was given to increase oilseed production. This policy has continued till date, with the result that today, we have become the world’s largest importer of edible oils. Presently, our annual edible oil import is over 15 million tons valued at over 10 billion dollars (November-October) and our dependence on import is over 60%. Such heavy dependence on imports for an essential food item is compromising our food security. Dependence on imports and easy availability of edible oils is directly responsible for lack of required efforts to increase oilseed productivity. In case of soybean, it has also affected the processing industry and farmers.

Oil Year

Production of Oilseeds

(Lac Tons)

Net Availability of edible oils from all domestic sources

(Lac Tons)

Import of Edible Oils (Lac Tons)

Dependability on Imports

(In%) 2005-06 279.78 83.16 40.91 32.97 2006-07 242.89 73.70 46.05 38.46 2007-08 297.55 86.54 54.34 38.57 2008-09 277.19 84.56 74.98 47.00 2009-10 248.82 79.46 74.64 48.44 2010-11 324.79 97.82 72.42 42.54 2011-12 297.99 89.57 99.43 52.61 2012-13 309.43 92.19 106.05 53.50 2013-14 327.49 100.80 109.76 52.13 2014-15 275.11 92.57 127.31 57.90 2015-16 263.39* 88.63

PRODUCTION OF OILSEEDS, AVAILABILITY OF EDIBLE OIL AND IMPORT OF OIL

* 2nd Advance Estimates of Ministry of Agriculture Source : Production of Oilseeds as per Ministry of Agriculture as on 13.05.2015, Net availability of edible oils from all domestic sources as per Directorate of Vanaspati, Vegetable Oils and Fats, Import of Edible oils as per DGCIS.

This is a subject which has been discussed ad nauseam ad infinitum over the past 3 decades and there are volumes full of papers, reports etc. giving reasons and reasons for low productivity and also some solutions. However, a noteworthy increase in productivity has not been seen. The major reasons for low productivity, other than weather and low farm size are: §  Non availability of quality inputs at the right time and right price §  Poor agriculture extension and adoption of technology §  Lack of coordination between various agencies. Although weather and low farm size are the two big reasons for low productivity, these are beyond our control. We will discuss the rest.

REASONS FOR LOW PRODUCTIVITY

SOYBEAN PRODUCTIVITY CAN BE DOUBLED

§  India’s current average productivity is around 1000 kgs. per hectare. This can be raised to 2000 Kgs. in the next 7 to 10 years. In fact, adoption of improved technology alone can result in 50% increase in yields.

§  At least one million hectares more area can be added for soybean cultivation. There is scope to increase area in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Some more area can be brought under soybean in North East and Bihar also.

§  Ensure use of only certified seed and replacement of seed variety every three years.

§  Proper Soil Nutrient Management. §  Technology Transfer through farmers training and Front

Line Demonstrations §  Farm Mechanization, §  Efficient Water management through micro irrigation

Upto 50% Yield improvement can be achieved by following:

§  Poor availability of good quality seed is the biggest challenge of Indian Agriculture.

§  The Scientists recommend that seed should be replaced once every 3 years. However, the farmers either do not follow this or enough certified seed is not available.

§  A mathematical calculation of how much certified seed would have been theoretically available to soybean farmers and the gap between availability and requirement is revealing.

INPUT SUPPLY - SEED

SOYBEAN BREEDER SEED PRODUCTION V/s ALLOCATION

Production Year Production Allocation Indent

Kharif 2009 12,517 10,589 22,085

Kharif 2010 19,386 17,831 22,896

Kharif 2011 18,371 15,454 21,700

Kharif 2012 20,718 13,253 21,001

Kharif 2013 8,019 8,019 18,417

Kharif 2014 9,009 8,346 15,326

Kharif 2015 8,956 8,902 16,941

Source : Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, GOI.

In Quintals.

Breeder Seed production in some years was less than half the demand.

SOYBEAN CERTIFIED SEED AVAILABILITY V/s DEMAND

Year

Certified Seed

available Qtls.

Area In Ha.

Certified Seed

Required @ 33% SRR

Qtls.

Deficit Qtls.

Actual Seed Replacement

Rate %

Kharif 2011 1,058,914 10,270,000 2,396,333 -1,337,419 14.73

Kharif 2012 1,783,053 10,700,000 2,496,667 -713,614 23.81

Kharif 2013 1,545,400 12,200,000 2,846,667 -1,301,267 18.10

Kharif 2014 1,325,280 10,908,000 2,545,200 -1,219,920 17.36

Kharif 2015 801,894 11,650,000 2,718,333 -1,916,439 9.83

Kharif 2016 834,604 12,000,000 2,800,000 -1,965,396 9.94

Kharif 2017 890,173 12,000,000 2,800,000 -1,909,827 10.60

Seed Rate @ 70 Kg/Hectare. Availability has been calculated at 100 times the breeder seed allocated in year before last. Production of F-II has not been considered.

INPUT SUPPLY - SEED

Inspite of the Seed Act, the tough rules and regulations and sometimes, impractical guidelines of State Seed Certification Agencies, the fact remains that the Indian farmer does not get enough good quality seed. Many times, even the certified seed comes from dubious sources and cases of spurious seed procured from mandies, graded, tagged and then passed on as certified seed have been reported.

DEVELOPMENT & PROMOTION OF NEW VARIETIES

Out of 126 soybean varieties released till date, only 17 varieties currently find mention in the list of improved varieties. Of these, 3 are less than 10 years old and 7 are less than 5 years old.

As per data available, 80% of breeder seed indent for 2016 was only for 5 varieties (JS 335, JS 93-05, JS 95-60, RVS 201-04 and JS 97-52). Which means that 80% of Soybean comes from these varieties. JS 335, which is more than 20 years old, still contributes to about 22% of Soybean production.

The number of varieties released in last 5 years is commendable. However, availability of Breeder Seed of some varieties is still low. JS 335 needs to be replaced and I understand good substitutes with better characteristics are already available but have not reached the farmers for want of seed in the system.

DURATION AND YIELD POTENTIAL OF POPULAR VARIETIES

Soybean Varieties

Maturity duration (days)

Yield (q/ha)

Soybean Varieties

Maturity duration (days)

Yield (q/ha)

NRC 7 90-99 25-30 JS 20-29 N.A. 20-25

NRC 37 96-102 30-35 JS 97-52 98-102 25-30 NRC 77 N.A. 23-25 RVS 2001-4 N.A. 22-25 NRC 86 N.A. 22-25 Phule Agrani N.A. 24-26 JS 335 95-100 25-30 MAUS 162 N.A. 20-30 JS 95-60 82-88 20-25 MACS 1188 N.A. 25-30 JS 20-34 N.A. 20-25 RKS 45 95-98 30-35 JS 20-69 N.A. 20-25 MAUS 158 93-98 22-25 JS 93-05 90-95 20-25

POLICY RELATED ISSUES §  Create another stage of seed between foundation and

certified (F II) to reduce requirement of breeder seed;

§  Proper implementation and enforcement of Seed regulations to minimize malpractices;

§  Augmentation of availability of quality seeds of promising and proven varieties;

§  Encourage private sector to invest in developing new varieties and also augmentation of seed supply;

§  Formation of cooperative societies, effective monitoring of their working to oversee production, storage and distribution of seeds of improved varieties.

ADOPTION OF IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY

After inputs, the single biggest reason for low productivity is poor adoption of improved technology. Results of Front line demonstrations, over a period of 15 years, have consistently shown that when proper and improved techniques are used, the productivity is more than double the national average.

Agriculture is a state subject and extension efforts need to be increased manifold to be effective for education of farmers to use proper technology. The cost of training would be little, when compared with benefits.

Our policies have somehow also become subsidy driven and the extension efforts are influenced by the amount of subsidy available.

Impact of Improved Production Technology on productivity of soybean under Real Farm Condition (SOPA FLD RESULTS)

Year Improved

Technology (IT) (Q/Ha.)

Farmer Practice (FP)

(Q/Ha.) % increase over FP

2005-06 20.04 13.10 52.98

2006-07 19.08 13.72 39.07

2007-08 21.49 15.54 38.29

2008-09 21.45 14.63 46.62

2009-10 25.73 15.45 66.54

2010-11 20.53 15.04 36.50

2011-12 15.20 11.69 30.03

2012-13 15.31 12.11 26.42

2013-14 12.92 10.20 26.67

2014-15 16.32 11.98 36.23

2015-16 11.84 8.38 41.29

Average 18.17 12.89 40.94

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN USE OF SEED §  The seed rate adopted by farmers is high, resulting in higher

plant population, lower yields and higher input cost. Farmers should be educated to use optimum seed rate.

§  Most of the time, seed treatment is not done by farmers. This results in poor germination and is perhaps the reason for higher seed rate. It should be made mandatory to treat seed with fungicide and bio-culture before sowing.

§  The farmer should be encouraged to change the seed variety every three years.

§  Farmers who use their own seed must first grade the seed to remove bad grains and also get a germination test done.

§  If the farmer uses his own seed, it must be properly stored and handled, to ensure good germination.

LAND AND WATER MANAGEMENT

§  Majority of farmers do not bother about proper land preparation and water management which directly or indirectly influence the productivity of any crop.

§  Deep ploughing in summer would help in rapid ingress of rain water and retention of top fertile soil.

§  Adopt broad bed and furrow / ridge and furrow system for sowing the crop. This will help in drainage of excess water and also in situ water conservation.

§  Soybean is rain fed crop and any kind of irrigation is non-existent. However, in the years of low rainfall or intermittent drought spells, it is necessary to give light irrigation. Micro irrigation system can be installed for this purpose.

INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT §  Nutrition use is highly imbalanced.

§  Potassium, sulphur, zinc and boron are not used in required quantities.

§  Method of placement of nutrients in not proper.

§  Fertilizer should be applied below the seed. Farmers generally either broadcast or mix the seed and fertilizer. Many times, fertilizer is applied by top dressing. These practices lead to poor nutrient use efficiency.

§  Bio fertilizers are not available in sufficient quantity and also a lot of spurious bio material is supplied to farmers.

§  Farmers are lured by unscrupulous elements to use all kinds of unnecessary products in the name of nutrients and growth promoters.

WEED MANAGEMENT

§  There are reports that weeds may cause upto 40% reduction in yield if not properly managed. Encouraging proper weed management practices will help in weed control.

§  Currently, weeds are mostly taken out by mechanical methods but during heavy rains, this may not be possible. Therefore, chemical weed control is also necessary using scientific method.

§  Here again, the dealer plays a major role in selection and doses of herbicide, irrespective of correct recommendations.

§  Method, quantity and time of application is also not proper most of the time.

PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT §  Infestation of various insects, pests and diseases is a major

cause of yield loss. Therefore, corrective measures for managing these are essential.

§  Farmers do not use proper and recommended technology for pest and disease management.

§  In general farmers do not use recommended does of the insecticide/pesticide. They are mostly guided by the dealer. These chemicals, if used either in lower or higher than recommended dose, will cause more harm than benefit.

§  Problems with Input supply, particularly seed and poor agriculture extension and adoption of technology are two major reasons for low productivity. Technology is proven and available. But if it does not reach the farmer, it is of no use.

§  The existing efforts for transfer of technology to farmers are not well coordinated. The technology simply does not reach the farmers.

§  The Extension Cell in state agriculture department should be given a target of training a fixed number of farmers every year. The success of extension efforts should be measured by a well-designed test to be given by farmers for each crop and the result of the test should be one of the criteria for measuring performance of the concerned officers.

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Cont….

§  Implementation of excellent schemes for serving the farmer are required for the adoption of improved technology. Soil Health Card Scheme is one recent example.

§  Micro irrigation for rain fed crops can do wonders. NMOOP should have provision for financial support for installation of such systems on a wide scale.

§  Timely input supply must be ensured. Current system is lax and many times, farmers get fertilizers, seeds etc. after the time for their use is over.

§  We should identify low productivity districts with large area under the crop and give special attention to adopt location specific technology and inputs. This will improve the average productivity of the country.

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

§  Overhaul of seed supply system is required with necessary changes in the policy. I have discussed this in detail earlier.

§  A ten-year plan for variety replacement for soybean may be prepared so that old varieties can be replaced with new ones within a reasonable period. JS-335 is a good example, the variety needs to be replaced, alternative better variety has been developed and notified but is still not available in sufficient quantity.

§  Weather conditions play a major role in affecting the productivity of any crop. Accurate and intensified weather forecasting coupled with correct and timely advisory system to grass root level will definitely help improving the productivity in Indian agriculture.

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

§  Industry, even though dependent on agriculture produce, is paying only lip service to farmers problems. Efforts and investments in agriculture extension are missing. We need to make serious and sincere efforts for improving productivity for obvious reasons.

§  Many research reports with recommendations remain on paper and serve no purpose other than academic. Every report prepared by expert groups or scientists should be taken to its logical conclusion.

§  Make soybean cultivation remunerative to farmers. Cheap import of edible oil has already killed our soymeal export market. Customs duty on import of soy oil over a quantity of 1 million tons should be at WTO bound rate of duty.

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Cont….

THANK YOU