October 12, 2011

India's rabi wheat output to be high amid favourable weather

India's wheat and pulse output are expected to be high for the coming rabi season due to good monsoon.

"We have kept wheat production target of 84 million tonnes for this year. But we think the production may touch 86 million tonnes easily if there is no rust and terminal heat," said P K Basu Agriculture Secretary to PTI.

The sowing of the crops is to begin in the next few days. Wheat has been the main crop grown in the rabi season and other crops like mustard gram peas and barley are also sown during the season. According to reports wheat fields are expected to have enough sunlight and no pest menace and good monsoon has enhanced the soil moisture and water level in reservoirs.

"Reservoir position is divine blessing this year. We never had such a good reservoir position in the country. So this will help all rabi crops including wheat," said Basu.

This season pulses like gram urad and moong are grown in additional 1.6 million hectares to compensate the loss of pulses production in the June September kharif season.