The Government has set a target of wheat production in the next Rabi season of 114 million tonnes. This is 1.3 million tonnes more than current year’s production of 112.7 million tonnes, according to the third advance estimate. Moreover the Government is also looking at climate-resistant varieties amid strong El Nino conditions this year.
For chana, the government has fixed a target of producing 13.55 million tonnes vs 13.54 million tonnes produced in the current season.
Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja said, “There are certain changes in the climate, which are affecting agriculture. Our strategy is climate-resilient seeds.”
“We are targeting to increase the coverage of area under heat-tolerant wheat varieties to 60 per cent this year,” he said, and urged states to encourage farmers to grow heat-resistant varieties.
Calling upon states to be prepared to tackle changing climate patterns, the secretary said, “If the pattern of rainfall and temperature keep changing, then it will affect agriculture.”
Taking into consideration the reservoir levels, the Secretary said the state governments should plan for the rabi season.
“There is still monsoon expected in October and November in certain states. The Met department is still saying El Nino conditions are strong. It would be predicting and I think you should be ready. States should keep this in mind while preparing for the rabi season,” he added.
