Wheat prospects bright

The elongated cold spell that is only just receding has helped the crop. This has also facilitated late sowing of crops to compensate for the shortfall in the sowing area last season. According to government figures, there was a shortfall of 0.89 million hectares in the sown area.

Late last year, intermittent rain and lack of sunshine had raised fears that there would be a heavy shortfall in the rabi crop. The target for this season had been pegged at around 69 million tonnes. Unseasonal rain in February had got many in theagriculture sector worried. Scientists in the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) said the rain and high-velocity winds might have caused severe damage to the crop. This fear now seems to have receded.

In addition, economists such as Ashok Gulati of Institute of Economic Growth, had predicted that India might have to import two or three tonnes of wheat to cover the shortfall. Paroda, however, is optimistic that the worst is over. He said figures would be available soon. Reports from major wheat growing states like Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are also encouraging, say scientists.