Wheat Sowing Surge Boosts Yield Prospects

11-Dec-2025 01:31 PM

New Delhi: Sowing of wheat, the most important food grain of the Rabi season, continues to show a steady increase as expected, and it appears that the total area under cultivation will easily exceed the normal average of 312.35 lakh hectares this year.

As of December 5th, the area sown with wheat had reached 241.40 lakh hectares, which is 23.60 lakh hectares, or about 11 percent, more than the 217.80 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year. Wheat sowing is still in full swing in most states.

There are several reasons for the increasing enthusiasm and interest among farmers in wheat cultivation.

The government has increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the 2024-25 season from Rs. 2425 per quintal to Rs. 2585 per quintal for the 2025-26 season, an increase of Rs. 160. Although wholesale market prices are hovering around or below this level, no negative impact is being observed on farmers.

The farming community knows that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) will attempt to procure as much wheat as possible at the MSP for the central pool, and flour millers and traders may also purchase it at higher prices. This will ensure attractive returns for farmers.

The government is distributing improved wheat seeds to farmers, which not only have a higher average yield but also possess greater resilience against adverse weather conditions.

This will reduce the risk of damage to the wheat crop, especially during the months of February and March.

In Piprakothi block of Motihari district in Bihar, farmers have complained that the government-supplied wheat seeds did not germinate. Such isolated complaints do surface occasionally, but overall, the seed quality is good.