AMN /
Government today said the prevailing high temperature has no adverse impact on wheat crop in the current rabi season so far. Replying to a media query in New Delhi, Agriculture Secretary Siraj Hussain said the Centre is closely monitoring the situation and regularly getting reports from scientists who are in the fields about the impact of temperature on crops. He said even though temperature is above normal but it will not affect the productivity.
The Secretary said next two to three weeks will be crucial and if the rains occur and temperature comes down as predicted by the MeT Department, the situation will be favourable for the crop. Mr. Hussain also said there is no need of panic on the matter.
As per the Agriculture Ministry’s data, the sowing of wheat crop has been lagging so far due to lack of soil moisture following two consecutive drought years. Mr. Hussain said wheat sowing is trailing by over seven per cent but the the area may improve as planting will continue till 15th of this month.
The preliminary reports received from the States, the total area sown under Rabi crops as today stands at nearly 565 lakh hectares. Wheat has been sown in 281.70 lakh hectares, pulses in 134.36 lakh hectares, coarse cereals in 57.40 lakh hectares. Area sown under oilseeds is 74.46 lakh hectares and Rice is 17.07 lakh hectares.
Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said the ICAR has released drought and flood-resistant seed varieties to cope with the challenges of climate change.