India’s wheat output may exceed 82 mn tonnes target this year

The country’s wheat production is likely to exceed the target of 82 million tonnes in the 2010-11 rabi season that started from mid-October. It will beat the production target of 82 million tonnes this year, as good rains have boosted soil moisture which improves yield. Timely sowing, good supply of seeds and fertilisers would help increase the productivity of the crop. India, the world’s second largest producer of wheat, had harvested all—time high of 80.71 million tonnes in 2009-10 season. As on November 8, wheat has been planted in over one million hectare, which is almost at par with last year’s level. The wheat acreage is likely to increase as farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have gone for early planting, he said, adding that full-fledged sowing of wheat crop is expected to start in the coming weeks. The country’s total wheat acreage is 28 million hectares. The crop prospects are bright as Agri Ministry expects good winter this year and also hope there won’t be any terminal heat like we had in 2009. Wheat is a rabi crop (winter crop), grown once a year in the country with planting beginning from mid-October and harvest in March-April.