India’s wheat planting area up nearly 11% y/y on record prices

Source: The post is based on the article “India’s wheat planting area up nearly 11% y/y on record prices” published in Business Standard on 26th November.

What is the News?

According to Government data, Indian farmers have planted wheat on 15.3 million hectares since October 1,2022 when the current sowing season began. This is an increase of nearly 11% from a year ago.

About Wheat

Wheat is the second most important cereal crop. 

It is the main food crop in the north and north-western part of the country

Temperature: It is a rabi crop that requires a cool growing season and bright sunshine at the time of ripening. 

Rainfall: It requires 50 to 75 cm of annual rainfall evenly distributed over the growing season. 

Soil Type: Well-drained fertile loamy and clayey loamy soils.

Wheat growing zones: There are two important wheat-growing zones in the country – the Ganga-Satluj plains in the north-west and black soil region of the Deccan.

Wheat Production: India is the second largest producer of wheat with a share of around 14.14% of world total production in 2020.

Major wheat-growing states in India are Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Gujarat.

Wheat exports: India’s wheat exports are mainly to neighbouring countries with Bangladesh having the largest share of more than 54% in both volume and value terms in 2020-21.