Wheat Production in India
- Geographical Spread: Primarily grown in Indo-Gangetic plains—Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh.
- Rabi Crop: Sown between October and December; harvested between February and April.
- Procurement Targets:
- 2025-26: 30 million tonnes.
- 2024-25: 26.6 million tonnes (below 34.15 million tonne target).
- Export Restrictions:
- May 2022: Wheat exports banned post-Russia-Ukraine war due to global price hikes and food security concerns.
Relevance : GS 3(Agriculture ,Environment )
Rising Temperatures and Impact on Wheat Growth
- Record Heat:
- February 2025: Warmest in 124 years.
- March 2025: Expected above-normal temperatures and heat waves.
- Heat Stress on Wheat:
- Accelerates flowering and ripening → reduces grain-filling period.
- Lowers starch accumulation → smaller, lighter grains with lower yield.
- Increases protein content but reduces milling quality → market price drops.
Scientific Insights into Heat Stress on Wheat
- Physiological Impact:
- Alters photosynthesis, respiration, water-nutrient absorption.
- Affects biomass, grain count, and size.
- Critical Growth Stages Susceptible to Heat:
- Emergence: Seed sprouts and first leaf appears.
- Growth Stage 1: Shoots develop, plant begins flower formation.
- Growth Stage 2 (Most Vulnerable): Transition from vegetative to reproductive stage.
- Growth Stage 3: Grain-filling and maturity phase—high temperatures can severely impact yield.
Role of Indian Ocean Warming & Monsoon Shift
- Warming Trends: Indian Ocean heating at an accelerated rate.
- By 2100: Expected to remain in a “near-permanent heat wave state.”
- Heat wave frequency may rise from 20 days/year to 220-250 days/year.
- Monsoon Impact:
- Kharif season (summer crops) is delayed → pushes Rabi sowing later.
- Delayed wheat sowing → overlaps with early heat waves, affecting yield.
Secondary Effects of Heat Stress on Wheat Farming
- Overuse of Fertilizers & Chemicals:
- Farmers compensate for low yield by excessive pesticide and fertilizer use.
- Leads to inefficient resource utilization and soil degradation.
- Supply Chain and Market Impact:
- Lower quality wheat faces price cuts.
- Losses in domestic food security and procurement shortfalls.
Adaptation & Mitigation Strategies
- Short-Term Measures:
- Compensation: Financial aid for farmers facing heat-stress losses.
- Crop Insurance & Subsidies: To ensure stability despite climatic risks.
- Long-Term Strategies:
- Climate-Resilient Wheat Varieties: Research and distribution of heat-resistant crops.
- Policy Changes:
- Adjust sowing dates to avoid heat wave overlap.
- Promote early sowing in regions prone to early temperature rise.
- Tech-Based Interventions:
- Weather monitoring systems and advisory services for farmers.
- Improved agricultural management with precision farming techniques.
- Holistic Approach Needed:
- Not just wheat but entire food systems require climate adaptation.
- Balancing food security, yield stability, and resource conservation is key.
