Warm winter: Centre says no need to panic on wheat crop

The next two-three weeks are crucial for assessing the real impact of the dry and warm winter in North India on wheat production, especially as Rabi sowing of the cereal crop is still underway.

A warm winter and poor soil moisture levels, due to a weak monsoon, had impacted the rabi plantings this year.

“We are closely watching the situation,” Agriculture Secretary Siraj Hussain said in reply to a question at a press conference here on Friday.

Stressing that there was “no need to spread panic”, Hussain said while the temperature was higher than normal, “a team of scientists was closely observing wheat growing areas and giving suitable advice to farmers”.

“So far there was no report to suggest any adverse impact,” he said, adding that if the Pune weather department’s rain forecast happens, “we should be fine.”

Up to January 8, 2016, sowing/transplanting of Rabi crops crossed 564.98 lh, which is lower than 582.46 lh than last year, according to preliminary reports by the States given to the Agriculture Ministry.

Wheat sowing, which begins in October, has been lagging. As on January 8, wheat was sown on 281.7 lakh hectare (lh) against 299.33 lh last year.

Sowing of oilseeds, too, was lower at 74.46 lh (77.41 lh) and rice was sown in 17.07 lh (18.63 lh).

Coarse cereals and pulses have been sown on 57.40 lh (52.28 lh) and 134.36 lh (134.81lh), respectively. According to some reports, wheat production is likely to fall below 90 million tonnes (mt) for the second year in a row in 2015-16 due to an unusually dry and warm winter.

In 2014-15, India, the world’s second-largest wheat producer, saw output decline to 88.95 mt due to poor monsoon and unseasonal rains in February-March, against a record 95.85 mt in 2013-14.

High temperatures are said to have an impact in tillering or maturing of wheat crop that could affect yield.

This year, key wheat-growing states, such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab have reported over 60 per cent rainfall deficit.

However, according to private weather forecasting firm, Skymet, fresh Western disturbance approaching Jammu and Kashmir could have a possible positive effect on weather in North India’s plains in the coming days.

On Friday, due to cloudy and foggy weather, day temperature dipped in parts of the National Capital Region and Punjab and would follow suit for the next two to three days, Skymet said, adding that light rain was likely in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab in the next 24-48 hours.

PTI adds: Madhya Pradesh’s wheat produce for the current rabi season is expected to dip by 13 per cent to about 160 lakh tonnes. “Wheat has been sown under 50 lakh hectares in the ongoing Rabi season so far, which is about 15 per cent less than what was sown during the period last year. With maximum temperature remaining above normal, wheat production may be hit,” Farmers’ Welfare and Agriculture Development Department Director Mohanlal Meena told PTI.

According to agriculture scientist Akhileshnandan Mishra, cold weather is required for better yield of wheat.

But the maximum temperature has been remaining above normal this season, which is not a good sign for the crop.

He said seeing the weather pattern this year, many farmers have opted to sow gram (chana) crop, which has also resulted in a drop in acreage under wheat crop.

Last year too, Rabi wheat production was hit due to unfavourable weather conditions.

Last time around, wheat was sown under 59 lakh hectares and the staple production was around 184 lakh tonnes.

Meanwhile, to help farmers tide over losses owing to volatile weather conditions and climate change challenges, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said a new crop insurance scheme would be announced in 2016-17.

“The premium amount will be fixed by the Union Cabinet after discussion,” he added.