Wheat output may match last year level;upward revision expected

The government may revise wheat production estimates upward for 2017-18 crop year as Agriculture Secretary S K Pattanayak today said the output could touch last year's record level of 98.51 million tonne (MT) owing to better yields.

Last month, Agriculture Ministry in its second advance estimate, projected wheat output to be lower by 1.42 per cent to 97.11 MT in the current crop year ending June due to four per cent fall in acreage.

"Wheat production will match last year's level," Pattanayak told reporters on the sidelines of three-day Krishi Unnati Mela that kicked off today.

The crop condition is good and yields are expected to be better in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, he said.

Pattanayak also said the foodgrain estimates get revised at every stage. The estimate on wheat output will be revised upward factoring higher yields.

Even the Karnal-based wheat research institute has pegged wheat output at 100 MT considering the ground reality, but the ministry is keeping conservative estimate as of now, he added.

The government releases four advance estimates on foodgrains before the final one at different stages of harvestng period.

Wheat harvesting has begun in some places and even state-run FCI and other agencies have started the procurement operations.