Sudden increase in temperature threatens the wheat crop

MUMBAI: The current cold weather in the north and central parts of the country has made conditions favorable for the wheat crop, but a sudden abnormal rise in temperature may reduce the wheat yield, sources in the agriculture ministry said. India may be forced to import wheat in case of fall in yield.

India is the largest producer of wheat after China and this year wheat is very important for the government keeping in mind the Lok Sabha elections.

Wheat production was affected as a result of high temperatures in 2022 and 2023, which led to reduced stocks in government warehouses. If production declines for the third consecutive year, India may be forced to import wheat, the sources added.

In the last two years, the wheat crop was affected by rising temperatures in February and March. The mountainous regions do not experience prolonged cold temperatures due to the lack of widespread snowfall.

The government has so far almost avoided importing wheat. Conditions were favorable due to cool temperatures in the early stages of wheat cultivation but the expected increase in temperature in the next few days may affect the crop during the crucial stage of wheat formation, the sources added.

Wheat yields were expected to be good due to cool temperatures. In the current year, wheat production is expected to be 11.40 crore tonnes.

Cooler temperatures have helped the growth stage of the wheat crop, with favorable temperatures expected to persist till the first week of April, the sources added.

An increase in minimum and maximum temperature is being seen in North and North-West states. Temperature conditions over the next month and a half will determine the size of wheat production.

Wheat production in 2023 was ten percent lower than the estimate of 11.20 crore tonnes. Due to this, stocks also fell to a seven-year low.

Estimated four percent decline in sugar production

In the sugar season of 2023-24, which started from October, the country's sugar production is expected to be 3.16 million tonnes net, being four percent lower than the annual rate. Twenty lakh tonnes of sugar to be diverted for ethanol production is not covered in this estimate. Keeping in view the opening stock of 57 lakh tonnes and production estimate of 3.16 crore in the current season, a total of 3.73 crore tonnes of sugar will be available for consumption which is 2.90 crore tonnes of India's annual consumption. Much more than consumption, according to a report by industry body All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA).