Date:08/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/08/stories/2008040854351200.htm

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Wheat crop damage being assessed

Gargi Parsai

Sharad Pawar airdashes to Punjab and Haryana
In Punjab, damage is stated to be about 30 per cent

NEW DELHI: Even as Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar flew to Punjab and Haryana on Monday for a spot assessment of the damage to the standing rabi wheat crop from the recent rain and hailstorms, preliminary estimates indicate a damage of about 30,000 hectares in Punjab.

The damage to the wheat crop in Haryana and parts of western Uttar Pradesh is being assessed, but there are reports of widespread ‘lodging’ of the standing crop. Areas where the crop was ready for harvest have suffered damage.

Union Agriculture Secretary P.K. Mishra said the Centre had sought reports from States about estimates of the damage to the standing and harvested wheat crop.

He said the States were making their own assessments.

Official sources, however, indicated that the damage to the wheat crop in the 30,000 hectares affected area in Punjab was to the tune of 25 to 30 per cent. Three of the affected districts were Tarn Taran, Jalandhar and parts of Sangrur.

In western Uttar Pradesh, the area affected was about 15 to 20 per cent, but the late-sown crop that was “still green” was not hit as much as the ripened standing crop ready for harvest.

“There could be some damage in pockets in all the three States. But we should still be able to meet our production targets,” said the sources.

Wheat production is expected to be 74.81 million tonnes this rabi. The government hopes to procure about 15.5 million tonnes of wheat for the central pool. After the damage to the wheat crop, the government will have to re-assess its production estimates.

Sources said the fact that Mr. Pawar rushed for a spot assessment of the situation in Punjab and Haryana points to the concern in the government about wheat output and availability. Already, official estimates indicate that the stocks next April would be only one million tonnes higher than the norm of four million tonnes.

A dip in production may result in imports at a time when domestic inflation is 7 per cent, global prices are ruling high and there is a tightening of wheat availability in the international market.

To prepare itself for any eventuality, the government has decided to build Strategic Reserves of three million tonnes of wheat and two million tonnes of rice, in addition to the buffer stocks.