Tuesday January 6, 02:32 AM

Source: Indian Express Finance

Wheat output likely to cross 78 M tonne

India is likely to clock last year s record wheat production of 78.4 million tonne this year too, cashing in on better yield owing to conducive climate, although the acreage may not increase as targeted by the government. There will be the same level of production as last year, as we will have better productivity, agriculture commissioner N B Singh said here on Monday. Supply of quality seeds in large scale would help raise productivity, he added. Speaking to PTI, Singh said areas under wheat, however, may not be increased to 29 million hectare this year as targeted by the Centre because farmers in the growing regions of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have diversified to other crops. Expressing optimism, director-general of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research Mangla Rai also said, We will achieve higher production of wheat this year even if the coverage under the crop falls below the government target. The impact of fog on the crops has not been adverse so far. So, good climatic conditions are the key. The wheat acreage hit a record 28.15 million hectare in the 2007-08 Rabi season. Till last week, the area coverage under wheat was 26.26 million hectare, marginally higher than that of 26.21 million hectare in the same period last year. However, total areas under wheat may be less this year though a clearer picture would emerge after two weeks, Singh pointed out. PTI