Haryana fixes wheat output target of 127.48 LT for rabi season

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government has fixed a target to achieve production of 127.48 lakh tonnes (LT) of wheat during the ongoing rabi season 2013-14 (October-March) as against the production of 113.42 LT last year.

During Rabi season 2013-14 target has been set to produce 123.81 LT of wheat over an area of 25 lakh hectares, 1.61 LT of grams, 1.95 LT of barley and 11,000 tonnes of rabi pulses over 1.40 lakh hectares, 50,000 hectares and 10,000 hectares, respectively, a Haryana Agriculture Department spokesman said here today.

Similarly, targets have been set to produce 10.80 LT of rabi oilseeds and 24,000 tonnes of sunflower, he said.

He said a campaign would be launched to educate the state's farmers for timely sowing of wheat and efforts would be made to complete 80 per cent of its sowing by November 30.

The spokesman said that the state government is making concerted efforts for timely supply of certified seeds to the farmers. As against the requirement of 13.63 lakh quintals of seeds during Rabi season, arrangements have been made for the distribution of about 14 lakh quintals of certified seeds of different crops.

Apprising about crop wise requirement and the availability of quality certified seeds, he said the certified seeds are being provided by various state agencies and private companies.

For the requirement of 13,10,000 quintals of wheat seeds, there is availability of 13,30,259 quintals, for requirement of 24,380 quintals of barley seeds, there is availability of 34,693 quintals and as against requirement of 8,000 quintals of grams, 11,376 quintals of seeds are available.

He said the availability of fertiliser during the season would be ensured as per the requirement and the state government is in constant touch with the Centre in this regard.

The central government has assured to make available fertiliser to the state as per the requirement, he said, adding that HAFED, the state nodal agency, has been advised to procure 4.50 LT of urea and 1.50 LT of DAP during Rabi season 2013-14 for distribution through cooperative channels present at the grass root level.