Confident, Punjab says will surpass wheat production target

Despite the extensive damage caused to wheat crop in certain pockets of Punjab by rains and hailstorms in the last couple of days, the Punjab government has expressed confidence of surpassing the wheat production target of 145 lakh tonnes this year.

8220;Although, wheat crop in certain areas has been damaged by rains and hailstorm, we are confident of outstripping the wheat production target by at least 5 lakh tonne,8221; Punjab Agriculture director B S Sidhu said today. Sidhu, who was touring areas hit by the hailstorm, said his department was in the process of assessing the actual loss of damage.

Meanwhile, the Bhartiya Kisan Union has sought immediate compensation for the affected farmers.