Cold conditions in North delay wheat harvesting by 2-3 weeks

The prevailing cold weather conditions in the North would delay wheat harvesting in Punjab and Haryana by two-three weeks. According to agriculture officials, the prevailing cold temperature caused by untimely rain is not conducive for harvesting, as grain need warm weather to dry. Also, unseasonal rains had adversely impacted crops at several places in Punjab and a couple of districts in Haryana.

Wheat harvesting normally starts by March-end or first week of April. Senior officials in the state agriculture department said, "The untimely rain in March has delayed wheat harvesting. The arrival of wheat in grain markets of Punjab and Haryana are likely to pick up only after the second or third week of April." He added that at this stage the crop needs warm weather, which helps in ripening. The prevailing cold temperature is not conducive for the standing crop.

Speaking to Business Standard, Manpreet Singh, a farmer from Bathinda said, " The grain is not dry as there is high level of moisture content, so it will take few more weeks for harvesting then only we would be able to market the product in nearby mandi."

Normally, the wheat procurement by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and other state government-owned agencies start from April 1. For 2014-15, FCI and state agencies in Punjab and Haryana are expected to purchase 115 lakh tonnes and 70 lakh tonnes respectively.

Punjab, major producer of wheat, is targeting more than 150 lakh tonnes (LT) of wheat production for the current season against 165.91 LT in the previous season. The total area under wheat is around 34.80 lakh hectares this season compared to 35.12 lakh hectares in last season. In Haryana, total production would be about 127.48 lakh tonne compared to 113.42 lakh tonne of the previous season. The total area under wheat in Haryana is about 25 lakh hectares.

Earlier, an analysis conducted by PHD chamber said unseasonal showers have dampened the mood of wheat farmers in Punjab and Haryana ahead of the harvest season. It is the second time during last three weeks that untimely rains and hailstorms have damaged the wheat crop in the two states and neighbouring Himachal Pradesh. The rain has not only weakened the wheat plant stems, but also damaged the grains and affected their colour. Besides these damages, the harvest period has also been pushed back by at least 15 days.