Wheat Crisis in India

Tags: Environment National

India is unlikely to ease restrictions on wheat exports. Agricultural scientists have recommended additional irrigation for rabi crops due to the unprecedented heat in the month of February this year.

An Overview of the news:

• Grain stocks in the world's second-biggest producer fell to around 106 million tonnes in 2022 after a 2.5% cut in output due to heatwaves.

• India will not lift its ban on wheat exports for the time being and the government will have a sufficient amount of state-owned emergency reserves as required under the rules on April 1.

• The month of February has been unusually warm.

• For agriculture, it was a reminder of last year's unusual temperature in March and its impact on wheat, the important rabi crop.

Wheat in India:

• Wheat is the second most important cereal crop in India after rice, the staple food crop in the north and north-western part of the country.

• Wheat is a heat sensitive crop.

• Wheat is a rabi crop which requires cool growing weather and bright sunlight at the time of maturity.

• Required temperature: Between 10-15°C (sowing time) and 21-26°C (ripening and harvesting).

• Required Rainfall: About 75-100 cm.

• Top Wheat Producing States: Uttar Pradesh > Punjab > Haryana > Madhya Pradesh > Rajasthan > Bihar > Gujarat.