Bumper wheat yield likely

Director (Agriculture), Punjab, M. S. Sonar said, "The substantial increase in acreage under wheat cultivation coupled with good weather are largely responsible for the bumper harvest." The acreage under wheat cultivation has also increased to 51.20 lakh hectares from 50.65 lakh hectares in 1997-98 in the two states, with some sunflower and mustard growers shifting to wheat cultivation.

In Punjab, the area under wheat cultivation has increased by 31,000 hectares to reach 30.32 lakh hectares this year, with an estimated yield of 40.74 quintals per hectare against 38.53 quintals per hectare last year. In the neighbouring Haryana, the acreage under wheat cultivation has risen to 20.87 lakh hectares from 20.64 lakh hectares in the previous year – an increase of 23,000 hectares. The yield per hectare is expected to be over 38 quintals against 36.6 quintals last year.

B. S. Gulia, joint director, Haryana Agriculture Department, said the timely sowing, ideal climatic conditions provided beneficial for rabi crop and adequate measures to control weeds. "Also, the timely sowing has increased the yield substantially and the crop remained free from diseases. However, strong winds in the last 15 days have had a slightly adverse effect, but there is nothing to worry. We will have record wheat production in the state, this year," he added.

The two states accounted for nearly 34 per cent of the wheat production of 63.5 million tonnes in the country last year, but their contribution to the central pool has been over 85 per cent. Last year, Punjab and Haryana contributed 59 lakh tonnes and 30 lakh tonnes to the central pool. This year, the two states are expected to increase their supplies further. Earlier this week, the government agencies led by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) commenced procurement of wheat.