Warning of Record-Breaking Heat in March in India, Potential Damage to Wheat and Chickpea Crops

28-Feb-2025 11:05 AM

Warning of Record-Breaking Heat in March in India, Potential Damage to Wheat and Chickpea Crops
★ The India Meteorological Department has warned that March 2025 will be unusually hot.
★ From the second week of March, temperatures will rise rapidly, with maximum temperatures exceeding 40°C in several states.
★ This year, a record harvest was expected, but extreme heat may reduce production.
★ If wheat production declines for the fourth consecutive year, the government may need to reduce or remove the 40% import duty to address supply shortages.
★ Similar to 2022, when sudden heat in February-March severely damaged wheat crops, this year’s heatwave may also negatively impact production.
★ In major wheat-producing states of North and Central India, temperatures could rise up to 6°C above normal from mid-March.
★ Chickpea and mustard crops may also suffer due to extreme heat, leading to significant losses for farmers.