Total wheat production in the country for 2008-09 is likely to be the same as last year, which was a record high of about 78 million tons.
In view of the higher than usual temperature during the winter season, wheat production in Punjab was initially expected to be lower than usual.
However, in view of the recent showers there was a possibility that wheat production could go up, said T Nand Kumar, secretary, department of agriculture and cooperation, government of India, on the sidelines of a seminar organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).
This year the government has set a target of raising the wheat acreage to 29,000,000 hectares.
According to the first advance estimates, the ministry of agriculture had set a target for foodgrains production for 2008-09 at 233 million tonnes. The kharif foodgrains production during 2008-09 was at 115.30 million tonnes, compared to 121 million tonnes during the previous year.
Last year, India recorded a total foodgrain production of over 230 million tonnes, and as per the fourth advance estimates of major crops production in the country, a large number of crops saw record production.
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Many estimates of the third advance estimates had been revised upwards based on the feedback received from the states and other sources.
Punjab is the second largest producer of wheat, contributing about 21.5 per cent to the total production in the country, according to government data.
Uttar Pradesh, which accounts for more than 30 per cent wheat production, is the largest producer of wheat.