Despite the government efforts to reduce India dependence on imported edible oil by increasing local oilseed production, soybean output is likely to decline by 17 per cent this kharif harvesting season. The decline is attributed to lower sowing area and reports of crop damage following a long dry spell in the peak planting season. Sowing of soybean crop is almost complete by mid-August, with little chance of further addition of kharif acreage. Apart from that, there was a long dry spell this monsoon season. Experts believe the standing crop got damaged due to deficiency of moisture in the peak germination period.