India’s wheat production is expected to beat the 2013-14 record of 95.85 million tons, Agriculture Secretary Siraj Hussain said.
“My own assessment is that wheat production this year is going to be very good, may be more than last year,” he said.
India is the world’s second largest wheat grower, and if low temperatures continue and there are no more rains this month, productivity will soar, despite reports of damage in some areas.
Wheat crops in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and West Bengal were damaged during recent unseasonal rains.
Indian Agricultural Research Institute Joint Director of Research D.V. Prabhu agreed with the crop projections, saying, “The recent rains have rather been beneficial to wheat crop. We expect wheat production to be a record 97-98 million tons. Total production could even touch 100 million tons if good weather prevails till harvesting.”
Hussain said the Indian government also is focusing on raising the productivity of pulses and oilseeds. He called upon farm scientists to develop varieties to achieve self-sufficiency in production of pulses and oilseeds.
Hussain also said the government would set up a common national market to ensure better prices for farmers, and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country.
