It is difficult to reach the production target with the current level of sowing of Rabi crops.

18-Dec-2024 08:04 PM

The Union Agriculture Ministry has set ambitious production targets for the 2024-25 Rabi season, including 1150 lakh tonnes of wheat, 145.50 lakh tonnes of rice, 120 lakh tonnes of maize, 136.50 lakh tonnes of gram, 16.50 lakh tonnes of lentils, 138 lakh tonnes of mustard, and 22.50 lakh tonnes of barley.

However, meeting these targets currently seems challenging, primarily due to suboptimal sowing conditions and unfavorable weather patterns.

While the overall sowing area for Rabi crops has expanded compared to last year, this growth has mainly been driven by wheat, paddy, and gram, whose sowing areas have increased.

In contrast, the sowing of several other crops, such as lentils, peas, urad, moong, sorghum, mustard, groundnut, and linseed, is lagging behind last year's figures. Additionally, barley sowing has seen a significant decline.

Though sowing will continue into December and January, the delayed sowing for some crops raises concerns about their yield potential, especially since the weather is expected to be less favorable.

Northern and northwestern states have experienced prolonged dry spells, with temperatures remaining unusually high until early December.

Furthermore, the forecast predicts dense fog and mist in the coming days, and if rainfall remains scarce, the day temperatures may stay above normal levels, which could adversely affect the growth of Rabi crops.

Given these challenges, achieving the production targets will require careful monitoring of weather patterns and potential adjustments in agricultural strategies.