The Hindu : National : Wheat production will be higher despite cold weather

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 23, 2005

National

National

Wheat production will be higher despite cold weather

By Gargi Parsai

NEW DELHI, MARCH 22. The cold weather, along with isolated hailstorms that hit parts of North India in the past two days is not likely to impact the standing rabi wheat crop except in isolated pockets. Standing wheat crop sown early and some harvested mustard might be affected, but would not impact rabi production, experts said.

As of now, the wheat output is expected to be between 75 and 76 million tonnes in 2004-05 as compared to 72.06 million tonnes last year against a target of 76 million tonnes. The "well distributed" winter rains and low temperatures during February have increased the chances of a higher yield . Besides, till now, the crop has not been afflicted by any pest or disease . Last year the wheat crop had suffered because of rise in temperature during early February-March.

Experts say while it is too early to assess which pockets of North India were affected by hail, if at all, there might be some "lodging" (bending of the plant) in some areas in the early sown wheat. But, they said, this might improve with warm weather .

However, the late sown wheat in parts of Punjab and Haryana would have benefited by the recent rain, as would have horticulture crop, oilseeds, pulses and winter maize.Experts participating here at the National Agriculture Conference on Kharif Campaign agreed on setting the target for the next kharif season (2005-06) at 114 million tonnes.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National