November 12, 2010

 
India's wheat output might exceed target this year
 

India's wheat production is likely to exceed the target of 82 million tonnes in the 2010-11 rabi season that started from mid-October, Agriculture secretary, P.K. Basu, said.

"We will easily 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," Basu said.

India, known as the world's second largest producer of wheat, had harvested a high record of 80.71 million tonnes in 2009-10 season.

"As of November 8, wheat has been planted in over one million hectare, which is almost on par with last year's level," Basu noted.

The wheat acreage is likely to rise 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 begin in the next few weeks.

The country's total wheat acreage is 28 million hectares.

"The crop prospects are bright as we expect good winter this year and we also hope that there would not be any terminal heat like we had in 2009," the agriculture secretary added.

Wheat is a rabi crop (winter crop) that is grown once a year in the country with planting starting from mid-October and harvesting in March-April.