Wheat output estimate may be revised to 98 MT

NEW DELHI: The government may revise wheat crop production estimates for 2017-18 higher to over 98 million tonnes, expecting yields to be higher following good growth conditions.

“Wheat production will match last year’s level,” agriculture secretary SK Pattanayak said at the venue of the three-day Krishi Unnati Mela that started on Friday. In the second estimate released in February, the government projected wheat production at 97.1 million tonnes. Output was at a record 98.51million tonnes last year on better yields.

Although the acreage of wheat cultivation was 4% lower this year, higher yields and good crop conditions in the major producer states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan would ensure production was high, Pattanayak said. “The Karnal-based wheat research institute has pegged wheat output at 100 million tonnes considering field reports, but the ministry is keeping a conservative estimate as of now,” he said, adding that food grain projections are revised at every stage.


The first advance estimate of food grain production was issued in September 2017.