Punjab may not surpass wheat target

The actual wheat output in Punjab is unlikely to surpass the production target of 14.5 million tonnes for the rabi season due to extensive damaged caused by untimely rains accompanied by a hailstorm in March.

"According to reports coming from across the state, the actual wheat output will remain close to the targeted volume of 14.5 million tonnes mainly because of the damage caused by unexpected rains and hailstorm just ahead of the harvesting season," said an official in the state agriculture department.

Earlier, the agriculture department of Punjab had anticipated outstripping the wheat production target by at least 500,000 tonnes. The average yield of wheat is also likely to remain stagnant at 42 quintal per hectare this year due to unfavourable weather conditions.

"The final report on actual wheat production and average yield is also likely to be finalised within 10-12 days," he said.

The unexpected weather conditions had caused severe damage to the wheat crop sown in an area of 180,000 hectares in March. Moreover, sudden rise of temperature in January also affected the crop considerably, said experts.

They pointed out that the wheat production had not been growing since last few years due to climatic changes and stagnation in prices.