Rains not to affect wheat production

Allaying fears that the recent rains may damage wheat crop, the government today said the recent downpours in North India will not affect productivity and output of the staple food-grain. "Recent rains will not adversely impact wheat productivity and production, "Agriculture Commissioner Gurbachan Singh told reporters.

He, however, said the cool weather that creates moisture in the crop (due to rains triggered by western disturbances) may further delay arrival of the wheat crop in the mandis. Wheat arrival in the mandis has already been delayed by two weeks in the major producing regions.

Giving reasons for the delay, he said wheat harvested by the farmers contain moisture because of rains and they have to be dried before moving them to the mandis. Western disturbances are common during this time of the year.

"If western disturbances are followed by too much of rains, hailstorm and winds, then it is a matter of concern," he added.

Western disturbances is continuing and it is more this year as compared to the last year, he said. Singh said 60 per cent of the wheat crops in Punjab and Haryana are yet to be harvested. He said wheat yields are expected to be better than last year as the cool weather is contributing to better productivity of the produce. Wheat harvesting which started from April one is yet to pick up.

The Commissioner said that there may not be a problem in harvesting as Meteorological Department has forecast clear weather in the next 15 days. The country is all set to witness a bumper wheat production of 84.27 million tonnes in the current crop year (July-June).