Temperature Rise in North Won't Affect Rabi Crops by Amit Gupta, Kedia Advisory
The rabi sowing season is progressing well with crop coverage of 640 lakh hectares, slightly higher than last year. Despite rising temperatures in the northern plains, experts believe it won’t affect the wheat crop. The overall crop condition is better than last year, with key crops like wheat and pulses seeing a rise in acreage. The Agriculture Minister held a review meeting to assess sowing progress, pest surveillance, and crop prices, ensuring that issues are addressed at the ground level. Wheat sowing has seen an increase, but oilseeds sowing has slightly dropped. Crop prices remain above the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs), with certain crops like wheat and rice seeing price gains.
Key Highlights:
* Rabi crop coverage stands at 640 lakh hectares.
* Wheat acreage up by 1.38% to 320 lakh hectares.
* Temperature rise in the north won’t affect wheat crop.
* Oilseeds sowing down to 97.62 lakh hectares.
* Crop prices above MSP for wheat, rice, and pulses.
The rabi crop season is progressing well, with overall coverage reaching 640 lakh hectares as of January 17, slightly higher than last year's 637.49 lakh hectares. Despite a rise in temperatures in the northern plains, the primary wheat-growing region, experts assure that it will not adversely affect wheat production. Gyanendra Singh, a former director at the Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, stated that such temperature spikes are common around this time and typically don’t impact crops significantly.
Wheat acreage has risen by 1.38%, reaching 320 lakh hectares this season. This increase reflects a solid sowing period for wheat, despite no further increases in acreage during the third week of January, indicating that sowing has been completed. Pulses have also seen increased sowing, with acreage at 141.69 lakh hectares, up from 139.29 lakh hectares last year. On the other hand, oilseeds saw a slight drop in acreage to 97.62 lakh hectares compared to 101.80 lakh hectares last season.
The Agriculture Minister’s review meeting covered issues ranging from pest surveillance to crop prices, where wheat, rice, gram, mustard, and sesame are selling above their Minimum Support Prices (MSPs). This indicates favorable market conditions for these crops.
Finally
With sowing nearly complete, rabi crops are in good shape, and the rising temperatures are unlikely to harm the wheat crop. Prices remain strong, supporting the ongoing sowing success.
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