Sowing likely to rise despite decline in area

Increased minimum support price (MSP) is likely to boost rabi wheat sowing in India and Pakistan even as the global area under wheat cultivation may decline in 2008-09, London-based International Grains Council (IGC) said.

“Increased support prices should boost winter wheat sowing in India and Pakistan,” IGC said in the latest grain report. To encourage farmers to produce more wheat, India increased the support price to Rs 1,000 a quintal in 2007-08 season from Rs 750, while Pakistan raised the price from Rs 625 to Rs 950 per 40 kg.

Karnal-based Wheat Research Institute Director B Mishra had expressed similar views and said that the hike in MSP would prompt more farmers to go in for wheat sowing this year. Wheat sowing will cover about 29 million hectares this year in India and the yield may increase by two million tonnes depending upon the area planted and weather conditions throughout the season, he said.

Rabi wheat sowing in India and Pakistan commenced early from October 23 and October 15, respectively. Normally, wheat sowing in India starts between October 30 and November 15, while in Pakistan between the first week of November and December-end. On wheat production in other countries, the IGC report said weather conditions were favourable for winter wheat planting in the US, the EU and Canada.