Wheat output may fall below govt projection: Agri Commissioner

Wheat output this year is likely to be below the government estimate of 95.60 million tonnes as untimely rain, hailstorm and wind have hit the crop in some states, a government official said.
"Wheat crop has been affected in three states -- Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra-- because of rain, hailstorm and wind, Agriculture Commissioner J S Sandhu told PTI.
Untimely rain is due to western disturbances in and around the coast of Gujarat and this situation is likely to continue for some more days as forecast by the Met Department.
"Definitely there is some damage. Production would be below the current estimate. It is difficult to say the extent of damage as the government is still assessing," he said.

Sandhu said wheat crop, which is ready for harvesting, has been covered in additional 61,000 hectares in the ongoing 2013-14 crop year (July-June).
"If the crop damage is in around 61,000 hectares, wheat production would be at last year's level," he added. Last year, wheat production was 93.51 million tonnes.

In the second estimates released last month, the government had pegged the wheat output this year at a record level of 95.60 million tonnes.
Sandhu said that the crop damage in some states could be compensated by other states. The crop condition in Bihar and Gujarat is better, while the situation in top three producing states Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh is not that bad, he added.

Besides wheat, other rabi crops have also been affected, especially in these three states.
Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh governments have sought central aid for damaged crops. A central team will soon visit the affected areas to assess the damage, the official added.
Sowing of wheat, the main rabi (winter) crop, begins from October, while harvesting from April.