Expectations of Excellent Wheat Production on the Back of Record Acreage

21-Jan-2026 03:38 PM

New Delhi. Farmers across India have shown strong enthusiasm for cultivating wheat, the most important food grain of the rabi season, resulting in the sown area rising to an all-time high. Another positive factor this season is that about 73% of the national wheat acreage has been planted with varieties that have greater tolerance to adverse weather conditions, especially higher temperatures. The Meteorological Department has forecast temperatures to remain above the normal average during February–March, which could potentially affect the wheat crop. However, if rainfall or irrigation continues regularly, the impact of higher temperatures is expected to be minimal.

According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, wheat acreage during the current 2025–26 rabi season is higher by 0.613 million hectares compared with last year’s 32.804 million hectares, and about 2.2 million hectares higher than the five-year average area of 31.235 million hectares. Crop conditions are reported to be satisfactory, and farmers are showing keen interest in proper crop management.

Considering the increase in acreage and the current condition of the crop, the Union Agriculture Minister has expressed confidence that wheat production could surpass the record level of 117.94 million tons achieved in 2024–25. Meanwhile, the Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal (Haryana), has projected total wheat output to rise to a record 120 million tons. The government has increased the minimum support price (MSP) of wheat by ₹160 per quintal, from ₹2,425 per quintal in the 2024–25 season to ₹2,585 per quintal for the 2025–26 season, which has boosted farmer confidence.

Although wheat prices in wholesale markets have remained soft or stable in recent months, this has not dampened farmers’ enthusiasm for wheat cultivation, as most farmers had already sold a major portion of their stocks earlier.