Wheat sowing can commence early

The rabi sowing of wheat, which normally starts from November, can commence early this year from third-week of October in some states such as Punjab due to conducive temperature, a senior agriculture scientist said.

“Wheat sowing can begin early this year from October 20 as temperature is conducive in states like Punjab,” Karnal-based Wheat Research Institute Director B Mishra said.

He said wheat-growing states such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana had received above-average rainfall this year. Rains have increased the moisture level in the soil which would be helpful for sowing.

Mishra, however, recommended farmers of certain states to start sowing from November onwards.

 

“Sowing in Bihar can start from third week of November, while in Uttar Pradesh from December 15 onwards,” he said.

Farmers in India produced a record wheat crop of 78.4 million tonnes last year, while the government targets to raise production by 100,000 tonnes to 78.5 million tonnes in 2008-09.

In the recently held Rabi Conference, state governments had agreed to increase production by ensuring timely sowing of wheat and completing the activity by November-end.

They had also agreed for the replacement of most popular wheat variety — PBW343 — with DBW17, HD 2687, PBW550(Punjab) and other improved varieties.