Drought in parts of MP and Rajasthan, shift to gram keep wheat sowing low

In the country, wheat, the main rabi foodgrain, has been sown on 29.55 million hectares, almost 1.44 mn ha less than last year

Drought in parts of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, and a shift in area towards more lucrative gram, has pulled down wheat and mustard acreage in the current rabi season.

This, with low farm-gate prices for a second year, has aggravated distress in rural areas. Water levels in major reservoirs are also lower than last year’s. 
 

In MP, wheat sowing was around 865,000 hectares less than last year as almost 400,000 hectares in areas adjoining Indore had shifted towards gram, while the rest was left unsown in drought-hit areas.

In the country, wheat, the main rabi foodgrain, has been sown on 29.55 million