Government says wheat sowing to pick up soon, no cause of concern

New Delhi: Sowing of wheat has been delayed owing to less soil moisture but it will soon pick up in major growing states like Haryana and Punjab, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said today.

At present, there is no cause of concern about sowing of wheat and other rabi crops, he added.

"Area sown to wheat so far is lower than last year. Sowing has delayed in some states due to less moisture content in soil. The sowing will soon pick up in Haryana and Punjab and the gap in the area will be covered," Singh told reporters.

Till last week of the current 2015-16 rabi season, area sown to wheat was down by 36 per cent at 78.83 lakh hectares compared with 107.35 lakh hectares in the year-ago period.

Sowing of wheat, the main rabi crop, started from October and harvesting will be from April.

According to Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Director General S Ayyappan, "Wheat sowing has delayed as some states like Punjab are still harvesting rice. Fields need to be prepared clearing rice straws and cotton stalks."

"So, 10 days delay in wheat sowing will not affect the overall coverage as sowing period is till November-end. The correct picture of the fall in wheat area would be known by first week of December," he said.

The ICAR scientists as well as agriculture ministry officials are closely monitoring the sowing operation, he said, allaying any concerns of area fall under wheat this year