The unseasonal rains and hailstorm encountered this month in state of Punjab has damaged wheat crop worth about Rs 3,000 crore, as per information provided by the state’s Agriculture Minister Sardar Tota Singh. The Punjab government has already approached the Centre seeking compensation for the farmers in view of crop losses.
Besides, the minister has further added that about 50 percent of the potato crop has been affected in the state, and the exact loss in value terms is being assessed.
India’s wheat production is estimated at 95.76 million tonnes (MT) in the 2014-15 crop year (July-June), as against 95.85 MT in last year. Punjab normally produces wheat in the range of 15-16 MT. The crop is ready for harvesting from April onwards. In order to meet the requirement of ration shops, the Centre aims to procure 30 MT of wheat this year.