Govt Remains Optimistic for Record 112 MT Wheat Output Despite Weather Damage

In the 2022-23 crop year (July-June), the government has predicted a record wheat production of 112.18 million tonnes. Wheat production had declined marginally to 107.74 million tonnes in the former year due to heat waves in some states.

On Thursday, Sanjeev Chopra, Union Food Secretary said in the 2022-23 crop year, the government is hopeful of a record wheat production of 112.18 million tonnes ending June despite rough weather conditions in some parts of the country impacting the quality of grains.

In the 2022-23 crop year (July-June), the government has forecasted a record wheat production of 112.18 million tonnes. Wheat production had decreased marginally to 107.74 million tonnes in the former year due to heat waves in some states.

Chopra said, "In the last two weeks, because of the rough weather there has been some damage to the wheat crop. But the production loss will be minimal. We are hopeful of achieving the overall production target of 112.2 million tonnes."

In Madhya Pradesh, the secretary said quality norms for wheat procurement have been relaxed and the Centre will soon take a call on relaxing quality norms for wheat procurement in Punjab and Haryana.

In many states, the procurement by state-owned FCI and state agencies has already started.

On Monday, the Centre said about 8 to 10 per cent of the wheat crop is estimated to have been damaged due to recent untimely rainfall and hailstorms in key producing states, but better yield prospects in late-sown areas are expected to make up for the production loss.

Agriculture Commissioner P K Singh, despite the recent rough weather, had stated that the country's total wheat production will touch a record 112.2 million tonnes this year according to the second estimate of the agriculture ministry.