Unfavourable climate conditions to affect wheat yield: Experts

According to the figures available with Junagadh Agriculture University (JAU) in Saurashtra,the wheat sowing has been severely affected in most parts of Saurashtra. Barring a couple of talukas in Junagagh,Jamnagar and Porbandar districts,the sowing data is not satisfactory in Rajkot,Surendranagr,Amreli and Bhavnagar. In worse-affected areas sowing has been as poor as 190 hectares to 500 hectares.

Junagadh district,which faced flood-like situation this year,has been leading with 9,000 hectares followed by little over 1,000 hectares in Jamnagar. “The initial reports suggest farmers are going for other less water-fed crops like cumin,garlic and onion,” said Vice-Chancellor of JAU,N C Patel.

In 2008-2009,after an impressive yield previous year,wheat production had dipped by 18 per cent to 3.14 million tonnes earlier this year. The current season may witness further fall in wheat production.“We do not have enough water. Besides,garlic as a commodity is more profitable,” said Praful Senjalia,president of Bharatiya Kishan Sangh.

JAU scientists have also issued a list of suggestions for farmers. “The farmers should start sowing only after November 15,when temperature is expected to settle below 22 degree Celsius,” said Patel.

Farmers,on the other hand,are trying to wind up the sowing by November 15. “To make sure that crop hit the markets early,farmers start sowing by end of Diwali,which is a very wrong practice,” said an JAU official.