Sowing of kharif oilseeds is under progress but it is still slow and is expected to gain momentum as monsoon picks-up in major growing regions. Monsoon has already gripped Southern and some Western parts of India. The states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have just experienced the pre-monsoon showers which will boost the oilseeds sowing in the states in days ahead.<br><br>However, soybean and other oilseeds planting in various parts of Maharashtra are progressing. In the official planting report, in Maharasthra Soybean planting stood at 0.46 lakh hectares (lha) against 0.09 lha during the same period last year, Groundnut in 0.24 lha vs 0.011 lha, Sesamum 0.0015 lha, Nigerseed in 0.007 lha against 0.004 lha, Sunflower in 0.001 lha vs 0.00085 lha in the corresponding period last year.<br><br>In Andhra Pradesh Sesamum is sown in 1.66 lha vs 0.39 lha last year, Castor in 0.667 lha compared to 0.77 lha in the corresponding period last year and Sunflower in 0.012 lha vs 0.03 lha in the same period last year. Soybean planting is reported during the week at 0.02 lha vs 0.06 lha during the corresponding period last year.<br><br>Sowing of soybean has also been reported in few places in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, though currently, the area coverage is quite slow. <br>