Indore: Favorable weather, early chill may boost wheat sowing
Wheat sowing in Madhya Pradesh is expected to increase this rabi season due to favorable weather, sufficient groundwater, and anticipated early temperature drops, according to ICAR’s regional station in Indore. The state’s wheat cultivation covers approximately 75 lakh hectares. The timely sowing of high-yielding varieties is expected to boost per hectare yield, which currently averages 3.5 tonnes, compared to 4.5-5 tonnes in Haryana and Punjab. Other major winter crops include chana and peas, expected to cover over 16.5 lakh hectares in the Indore division.
Indore: Wheat sowing in Madhya Pradesh, the second largest wheat producing state in the country, is anticipated to increase this rabi season due to adequate soil moisture, sufficient groundwater level, and probability of an early drop in temperature, according to head of Indian Agricultural Research Institute’s (ICAR) regional station in Indore on Tuesday.
“The prospects for wheat sowing this rabi season appear promising as weather conditions have been favourable thus far, and the groundwater table is at a satisfactory level. Temperature plays a crucial role in wheat cultivation and with the likelihood of an early dip in temperature, sowing activities are expected to gain momentum,” principal scientist and head of ICAR-IARI’s regional station in Indore, KC Sharma said.Sowing of wheat usually commences in the first week of November and continues for a fortnight.In Madhya Pradesh, wheat is cultivated on approximately 75 lakh hectares, as per Union ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare.
The per hectare yield of wheat is also expected to increase in the upcoming season due to conducive weather conditions and timely sowing of quality seeds, according to Sharma.The average per hectare yield of wheat in Madhya Pradesh is 3.5 tonne, while productivity in the leading wheat producing states of Haryana and Punjab is around 4.5-5 tonne per hectare, as reported by the research institute.”Farmers may avoid late sowing this season because low temperature is essential for wheat. The use of 110-125 day high-yielding seed varieties is expected to cover a larger area in the region,” Sharma added.Other major winter crops in Indore division include chana and peas, which cover a substantial area. Winter crops are expected to cover more than 16.5 lakh hectares in the Indore division.
