Wheat production is expected to cross 86 million tonnes to set a new record in the ongoing 2011-12 crop year, boosted by a good monsoon and a likely rise in support prices, the Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, said today.
Wheat production in India, the world’s second-largest producer, stood at a record 85.93 mt in the 2010-11 crop year (July-June). Wheat is only grown in the rabi season (winter).
“Indications are that rabi sowing will be good, particularly of wheat. As of now, it looks that wheat production will exceed 86 mt,” Mr Pawar told PTI in an interview.
He noted that the good monsoon has boosted the soil moisture and water levels in reservoirs and this would lead to a rise in production.
The Minister further said that a possible hike in the minimum support price (MSP) of wheat will encourage farmers to increase the area under the crop.
The Cabinet may soon decide on raising the MSP of rabi crops, including wheat, in the next few days, he added.
Wheat MSP stood at Rs 1,170 per quintal for the 2011-12 marketing year (April-March). The Government buys wheat from farmers at the MSP.