By Nayan Dave & Sandip Das
Heatwave circumstances because the center of March have brought about important injury to the standing wheat crop, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, all main producers of the staple cereal.
Early estimate says that the crop injury can be of the order of 15-20 million tonne, which means wheat output in 2021-22 crop yr (July-June) can be round 96-98 million tonne (mt), in opposition to the second advance estimate of 111.32 mt. Last yr’s rabi wheat manufacturing was a document 109.59 mt.
Summer crops akin to pulses, coarse cereals, oilseeds, greens and fruits have additionally been hit by the heatwaves throughout most elements of north India and western elements of the nation. Estimates of the losses of those crops could be made solely later. That water ranges at reservoirs are greater than year-ago ranges is a respite.
While document excessive temperatures have been witnessed in March and April, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the heatwaves would proceed throughout May, particularly within the north-west area. Advisories have been despatched to farmers to make sure frequent irrigation for saving vegetables and fruit akin to mango, guava, lemon, tomato, chilli, brinjal and okra. “Heatwave could affect agriculture by lowering yields of several standing crops in Punjab, Haryana and west Uttar Pradesh”, an IMD official mentioned.
“Crops in more than 60% of wheat-grown areas, especially in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have been hit by heatwaves,” a scientist with a number one analysis institute, mentioned. Wheat, the second-biggest cereal crop after rice was sown in 33.64 million hectare (mh) this yr, in opposition to 31.61 mh within the earlier yr.
The third advance estimate of wheat manufacturing by the agriculture ministry is anticipated to be launched this month.
Day temperatures ought to ideally be within the early 30 levels Celsius when the wheat kernel accumulates starch and vitamins. In the second half of March and early April, temperature rose to 40 levels Celsius in Punjab and Haryana, rising the shrivelled grain within the wheat crop from the standard stage of round 5% to 10-20%. Farmers are bringing in shrivelled grains past the Food Corporation of India prescribed most permissible restrict of 6% to mandis in these two states.
In Gujarat, summer time crops have been sown in a document 1.03 mh space this season. Farmers are, nonetheless, going through the problem of saving the crops, particularly groundnut, sesame (til), sugarcane and paddy which require water in massive portions. The state authorities has stopped supplying water for irrigation from its 207 main reservoirs to make sure availability of ingesting water.
According to agriculture ministry information, summer time crops — pulses (moong and urad), oilseeds (groundnut, sunflower and sesame), coarse cereals (jowar, bajra and ragi) and paddy have been sown in an space of seven mh this yr, up 7% on yr.
In its newest advisory to states, the IMD requested them to irrigate crops repeatedly on the interval of 4-5 days to keep away from water stress.
Meanwhile, in accordance with the Central Water Commission information, the water storage stage in key 140 reservoirs was 108% of the extent a yr in the past and at 128% of the typical within the final ten years.
The IMD, in its first forecast final month, had said that India will obtain ‘normal’ southwest monsoon (June-September) at 99% of the benchmark lengthy interval common (LPA). The second forecast of the monsoon, previous to its arrival over Kerala coast, will likely be launched by center of this month.
Source: www.financialexpress.com”