Record wheat production predicted

NEW DELHI: Despite recent unseasonal rains, wheat production in the country is likely to surpass the previous record of 95.85 million tonnes achieved in 2013-14, said Agriculture Secretary Siraj Hussain on the sidelines of ‘Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela’ here.

If the current low temperature continues and there are no rains in the month of March, India would witness a fresh record of wheat production.

“Damage to wheat crop is limited to a few areas only. The current low temperature will further boost productivity. I believe wheat production this year would be a record. My own assessment is that wheat production this year is going to be very good, may be more than last year,” Siraj added.

India is the world’s second-biggest wheat grower. In its second estimate, the Ministry had last month pegged wheat output slightly lower at 95.76 million tonnes for the ongoing 2014-15 crop year (July-June).

There are reports of damage in some areas but the crop prospects are good. Wheat crops, which have fallen flat on ground due to heavy rains and winds in some areas, could recover if the current weather continues, he added.

Echoing views, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) Joint Director Research D V Prabhu said, “The recent rains have rather been beneficial to wheat crop. We expect wheat production to be a record 97-98 million tonnes. “

Standing crops in over 50 lakh hectares in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and West Bengal have been damaged by the recent unseasonal rains, according to the government’s data placed before Parliament.