Jhalawar farmers expect stronger soybean and groundnut yields this kharif season

Jhalawar, Rajasthan: Farmers growing soybean and groundnut in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district are expecting a stronger kharif harvest this year, with better crop conditions and improved farm practices supporting yield prospects. The optimism comes after a weak performance last season, when lower productivity affected oilseed growers in the region. This year, timely rainfall and closer crop monitoring have helped improve field conditions, particularly on model farms being developed under oilseed productivity programmes. On these model farms, soybean yields are expected to touch around 2,000 kg per hectare, while groundnut productivity could cross 2,500 kg per hectare, according to programme-linked estimates. These levels are considerably higher than the broader average soybean productivity in India. The model farms are part of an initiative involving the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA), Solidaridad and AWL, which is aimed at improving oilseed productivity through better seeds, scientific cultivation practices, technology and regular field-level guidance. Farmers participating in the programme have been encouraged to move beyond conventional cultivation methods and adopt improved agronomic practices. Regular monitoring by agricultural experts has also helped farmers identify crop-related issues and manage their fields more effectively. The improvement is significant in the case of soybean, where productivity on the model...