As of November 8, wheat sowing in India, a key rabi season crop, is 15.5% lower at 4.13 million hectares compared to 4.88 million tonnes in the previous year. With the government targeting 114 – 115 million tonnes (mt) of production from an anticipated acreage of 33.623 million hectares, timely sowing is essential to prevent potential crop damage if temperatures rise in February-March.

Preliminary state-wise data on wheat acreage shows the following:

• Madhya Pradesh: One of the major wheat-producing states, Madhya Pradesh recorded a significant decline, with sowing at 1.056 million hectares as of November 8, down from 2.658 million hectares a year earlier. Officials cited delays in updating data from this state.
• Uttar Pradesh: The state, aiming to cover 10.112 million hectares this year, reported slightly higher acreage at 0.936 million hectares, compared to 0.931 million hectares last year.
• Haryana: Acreage remains strong, surpassing 0.5 million hectares as of November 12.
• Punjab: Wheat sowing increased notably, reaching 1.413 million hectares, up from 0.831 million hectares last year.
• Rajasthan: Reported a slight decline with wheat acreage at 0.192 million hectares, down from 0.20 million hectares a year ago.

For the 2024-25 season, the Centre has set a wheat production target of 114 -115 mt, with expectations that higher acreage, supported by a normal winter, could aid in meeting this goal. (Source-Businessline)