The Hindu Business Line : Central India holds key to wheat production

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Chennai Feb. 6 Central India, especially Madhya Pradesh, holds the key for a good wheat crop this year. Even as the Agriculture Ministry has estimated the production at 72.5 million tonnes, the trade prefers to wait until the month-end when the real situation with regard to the output will unfold.

"As of now, there is nothing to worry about wheat crop in the country. The problem could be with the crop that had been planted late. But central India, especially Madhya Pradesh, needs rains badly," said Dr Jag Shoran, Principal Scientist, Directorate of Wheat Research.

If the crop gets affected in Madhya Pradesh, it could make a significant difference to wheat production in the country, according to him. Madhya Pradesh tops this year for the area under wheat cultivation. In fact, the area in that State is up by 5.4 lakh hectares this year.

"Though the central region received drizzle on January 29 and 30, it was not enough," he said.

According to growers in Madhya Pradesh, the crop faces problem.

"The crop seems to be ok. But we think the yield will be lower as we have not had rains and irrigation has been a problem due to power shortage," said Mr Sunil Mukhati, a farmer from the Malwa region near Indore.

"There is no problem with the entire North as it is an irrigated area," said Dr Shoran.

All eyes are on flowering of the wheat crop in the North, though reports of flowering have come in from parts of Uttar Pradesh such as Agra.

"Flowering in parts of Agra show that the crop is in a good condition," said a miller based in North India.

According to a cross section of the wheat industry, the crop that was sown early is in a good condition, while the one sown late is facing problem due to rising temperatures.

"We have two days of fog during the weekend. It should help to cool the climate a little," said Dr Shoran.

"There is some confusion with regard to the crop," said Mr Pramod Kumar, Director of Belgaum Flour Mills. "We are getting mixed signals of the crop being good and not so good," he said.

"A clear picture of the crop will be available only during February-end," said Mr Vinod Kapoor, Chairman, Wheat Products Promotion Society.

" There should be no worry over the crop situation in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana as irrigation is assured," said Dr Shoran.