MP Crop Outlook: Paddy Output Likely To Fall, Bumper Soybean Harvest Expected

Paddy output in Madhya Pradesh is expected to decline this year due to farmers shifting to less water-intensive crops like maize and soybean, according to Kamal Singh Anjana, a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh. The government has encouraged such a shift to minimize potential agricultural losses. Anjana noted that a significant number of farmers are choosing to sow maize and soybean instead of paddy, resulting in a lower paddy production compared to previous years.

On the other hand, soybean production is anticipated to be significantly higher this year. This is attributed to the lower rainfall in certain regions of the state, including the Malwa belt, which is gradually experiencing a water scarcity crisis. Areas such as Ujjain, Sehore, and Harda are currently grappling with a drought-like situation, as tube wells have run out of water. This situation is likely to negatively impact the wheat crop as well.

In contrast to the decline in paddy production, maize output has been steady in the state over the past couple of years. The agriculture department estimates paddy production for 2024-25 at 136 metric tonnes, which increased to 149.71 metric tonnes in 2025-26. Maize followed paddy as the second most widely grown crop in the state, with production estimated at 69.36 lakh metric tonnes in 2024-25 and rising to 90.75 lakh metric tonnes in 2025-26.

Soybean production, however, has been on the decline for several years. While its production was 66.24 lakh metric tonnes in 2024-25 and 59.40 lakh metric tonnes in 2025-26, it is expected to be a bumper crop this year due to favorable climatic conditions.