January 13, 2009

India's wheat production this year may fall 1.5 million tonnes due to hot weather in some parts of the country.

The states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat experienced higher temperature than usual during mid-December, which could affect wheat yield, said official sources.

Wheat acreage is also likely to drop marginally compared with last year, the sources said. Spring wheat area in 2008 stood at a record high of 28.1 million hectares.

However, Agriculture Commissioner N B Singh gave a different view, saying that wheat acreage may fall 100,000 - 200,000 hectares or reach the same levels as last year, and that wheat production level will either pull level with last year or achieve better results.

The large supply of quality seeds would help raise productivity, Singh said.

Wheat acreage till last week stood at 26.97 million hectares, up from 26.57 million hectares in the same period last year.

India produced 78.4 million tonnes of wheat last year, and aims to produce 78.5 million tonnes this year.