Punjab, the food bowl of the country, is looking at over 10 per cent drop in overall wheat output due to recent untimely rains and hailstrom. With expected decline in productivity, the State is unlikely to achieve wheat procurement target of 125 lakh tonne for the ongoing Rabi marketing season. “We expect that wheat output will drop by about 20 lakh tonne because of massive damage caused by untimely rains and hailstorm,” said State Agriculture Minister Tota Singh on Wednesday.
“We have observed that in many areas including Moga, ludhiana farmers are getting 16-17 quintals per acre against average yield of 20-22 quintals per acre as unseasonal rains have wreaked havoc with crops,” said the Minister, adding that in some areas, the yield loss could be in the range of 20-25 per cent. He said that the crop loss was shocking as the State was expecting higher wheat yield this season due to prolonged cold conditions. “But untimely rains and hailstorm have spoiled the chances of bumper output,” he said.
Punjab had projected wheat output of 168 lakh tonne for the current season. The state had hit all-time wheat production of about 180 lakh tonne in 2011-12 and then 176 lakh tonne in 2013-14 because of favourable weather conditions. The minister said that wheat growers are expected to be losing Rs 8,000-10,000 per acre on account of lesser productivity.
Rains in the months of February and March caused extensive damage to wheat crop in Punjab and State Government had sought special assistance of Rs 717 crore from the Centre to compensate farmers for the crop losses. With wheat crop facing yield loss combined with lustre loss and shrivelled grains, the state is unlikely to achieve wheat procurement of 125 lakh metric tonne for which the state government had made necessary arrangements.
“As per our assessment, wheat procurement is likely to remain between 100-105 lakh tonne. It will not reach 125 lakh tonne due to lesser arrivals this season,” said a senior official of the Food Corporation of India (FCI). Punjab had witnessed all time high crop purchase of 128.30 lakh tonne in 2012-13 season. So far, wheat arrivals in Punjab have reached 63.95 lakh tonne as against crop purchase of about 67 lakh tonne in corresponding period of last year. “Out of 63.95 lakh tonne, 57 lakh tonne has been purchased for central pool,” he added.
Marred by farmers' agitation, procurement season in Punjab saw wheat growers complaining of tardy purchase of crop in grain markets, accusing the state agencies of delaying in crop purchase, adding to their miseries. Growers have been claiming that piles of wheat grains are lying in various grains markets of Punjab in the absence of state-owned procurement agencies despite tall claims of state government of smooth and hassle free purchase. They also claimed that they were being forced to sell their crop below MSP rate of Rs 1,450 a quintal at a few places in the state.
