Sowing of wheat, the main rabi crop, is expected to begin from the current month-end and the total acreage is likely to be at last year’s level of 29.9 million hectares, according to a Government research body.
“There may not be either increase or decline in wheat sowing this year. I think, it would be at last year’s level of 29.9 million hectare,” the Karnal-based Directorate of Wheat Research, Project Director, Indu Sharma, told PTI.
Wheat acreage is likely to be steady as there are less chances of crop diversification, she said.
Sowing of wheat in the rain-fed regions, where late rain has recharged the soil profile, is expected to be on time from October-end, she added.
For early sowing for central India on residual moisture, farmers are advised to sow wheat varieties, especially Pusabahar, Malvaratna, Amrita, Harshita, Meghdoot, Amar and Swapnil, an official in the Agriculture Ministry said.
Farmers are also encouraged to use yellow-rust resistant varieties of wheat, especially GW 322, PBW 502 and DBW 16 among others, to save crop yields, he said.
The Government has kept a target of 86 million tonnes of wheat in the 2012-13 rabi season. Last year, the country had harvested a record 93.90 million tonnes due to good rains.
The monsoon witnessed a sluggish start this season with a three-day delay in onset. June and July saw 28 per cent and 13 per cent deficient rains respectively, but September ended with 11 per cent excess rains.
The country as a whole received seven per cent less rains. The monsoon is crucial for agriculture in the country as it irrigates nearly 60 per cent of the cultivable land.