Context: India’s wheat production is estimated to reach a record level of 115.3 million metric tonnes during 2024-25, which is about 2 per cent higher compared to the 113.3 million tonnes produced during 2023-24, showed the Second Advance Estimates of production of major crops released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.

Background: –

• Wheat is the second largest crop after paddy in terms of area coverage. Uttar Pradesh is the top wheat-producing state in the country, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Key points 

• Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is the second most important staple food crop in India after rice. India is the second-largest producer of wheat in the world after China.
• The average yield of wheat in India is around 3.5 tonnes per hectare, which is lower than global averages due to factors like small landholdings and inadequate irrigation.

Climatic and Soil Requirements

• Climate: Wheat is a rabi crop, sown in winter (October-December) and harvested in spring (March-April).
• Ideal temperature: 10-15°C during sowing and 21-26°C during harvesting.
• Rainfall: Requires 50-75 cm of rainfall, well-distributed over the growing season.
• Soil: Grows best in well-drained loamy and clayey soils with a pH of 6.0-7.5.

Major Wheat-Producing States

• Uttar Pradesh: Largest producer, contributing about 30% of India’s total wheat production.
• Punjab and Haryana: Known for high yields due to advanced farming practices and irrigation facilities.
• Madhya Pradesh: Rapidly growing production due to increased acreage and government support.
• Rajasthan: Significant production despite arid conditions, thanks to irrigation projects like the Indira Gandhi Canal.

Source: Indian Express