The winter rains have improved the prospects of the
wheat, gram, masur and mustard crops, making the ministry for agriculture more bullish about a record rabi harvest this year.
The country's commissioner for agriculture Gurbachan Singh told MAIL TODAY that reports coming in from the states indicate that the moderate rainfall, which also led to a cooling of temperature in its wake, is beneficial for the crops.
According to the government's advance estimates for 2010-11 released earlier this year, the country's wheat output is expected to touch 81.47 million tonnes and that of pulses 16.51 million tonnes.
However, with the current spell of good weather the output of these crops is now expected to exceed this level as well, Singh said.
This sprinkling of rain has increased the moisture content in the soil, which will help in the better absorption of nutrients and facilitate the growth of all crops.
Singh said the moderation in temperature will lead to an increase in the photosynthesis of the plants and the wheat crop will get more time to mature.
He explained that last year the temperature had suddenly risen in March and this had led to a drying up of leaves and some shrivelling of the grain, which was at a formative stage.
With cooler temperatures at this time of the year, the grain formation will be healthier.
The quality of the grain will, therefore, be better than last year, he added.
Singh explained that it is very heavy rain accompanied by hail that usually causes damage to crops at this time of the year.
"However, we have not received any such reports from the states," he added.
As far as fruits are concerned, Singh said snow in Himachal Pradesh and the cold wave that has come as a parting kick by the winter will benefit the apple crop which thrives under such conditions.
However, although there are unofficial reports of some damage to the grape crop in Maharashtra this is limited to isolated pockets.
The winter showers will also lead to some cost saving for the farmers who still have to irrigate the wheat crop that was sown later in the season.
Since electricity is in short supply many farmers have to buy diesel at around Rs 40 a litre to water their fields, which increases the cost of production.
The latest data received from the states shows that wheat has been sown in 294.06 lakh hectare, which is 10.46 lakh hectare more than last year on this date.
The fact that the acreage under pulses has gone up by 12.86 lakh hectare will also contribute to a higher output. Similarly, the area under oilseeds has gone up by 3.52 lakh hectare compared to last year.
The higher output of these two crops will help India cut its import bill as both pulses and edible oils have to be imported in large quantities to meet the shortage in domestic supply.
The government is keen to reduce the nation's trade deficit which has been rising in recent months as export earnings are falling short of the increasing expenditure on imports which leads to an outgo of foreign exchange.
The country's high current account deficit has emerged as a cause of concern as international prices of crude oil have surged past the $ 100 per barrel mark due to the turmoil in the Arab world and the import bill is expected to shoot up further.
Courtesy: Mail Today 
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