Wheat acreage in UP at 5-year high despite sugarcane imbroglio

Wheat is usually planted in around 9.4 million hectares of land in Uttar Pradesh in entire season

Sowing of wheat in Uttar Pradesh, one of India’s largest producing states, has reached a five-year high of almost 6.38 million hectares till Thursday, despite widespread agitation over sugarcane prices leading to popular notion that there are still standing cane crops on vast areas of land.

According to latest data, furnished by the department of agriculture, wheat has been sown in around 6.38 million hectares till November 28, almost 17% more than that during the same period last year.

Wheat is usually planted in around 9.4 million hectares of land in Uttar Pradesh in the entire season, of which sowing has been completed in almost 68% area till Thursday. It is on track to reach the targeted 9.73 million hectares in UP.

“This has raised some questions over claim that farmers have delayed wheat sowing in the state due to the sugarcane agitation,” a senior official said. Uttar Pradesh, along with Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh are the main wheat producing states of the country.

Millions of farmers across most parts of Uttar Pradesh are on a warpath since the last few days because of tussle with millers over sugarcane prices for 2013-14 season.

The crises deepened after more than 70 of the 99 private sugar mills in the state – who produce bulk of sugar – suspended their operation because of mounting losses made more acute by unrealistic sugarcane price fixed by the state government.

Overall, data showed that wheat, which is the biggest foodgrain grown during the rabi season has been planted in around  17.94 million hectares till Thursday across the country, almost 13.2% more than that during the corresponding period of the previous  year. The biggest increase in acreage has come from Madhya Pradesh, apart from UP.

“We are expecting a bumper wheat harvest in 2014-15, which could exceed hitherto all-time high production of 95 million tonnes,” another official said. He said brimming reservoirs and extended southwest monsoon has provided enough moisture to the soil for a good harvest.

The Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP) in a recent report pegged India’s agriculture growth in 2013-14 (June-July) at 5.2-5.7% against 1.9% last year.

Among other crops, the data showed that sowing of pulses has been completed in 10.49 million hectares till Thursday, against 10.24 million hectares in the same period of the previous  year, while oilseeds have been planted in around 6.99 million hectares, almost 4.48% more than that during last year.

Wheat acreage in UP in last 5 years in million hectares

Normal Acreage	2013-14*	2012-13*	2011-12*	2010-11*	2009-10*	2008-09*
9.39	6.38	5.47	5.43	2.96	4.23	6.02

*Till Nov 28 Each Year

Source: Department of Agriculture