Wheat sowing faces heat from water shortage this winter
Farmers in India are likely to reduce wheat planting this winter due to water scarcity and low minimum support prices. Regions such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh may see the most significant impact from these conditions. The state governments are encouraging farmers to consider crops that require less water, which may lead to a shift in crop choices.
India's wheat production could see a decline of 5-10% this winter due to water scarcity, according to executives from the wheat processing industry. This shortage has led farmers in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra to consider switching crops or leaving fields uncultivated. Industry officials anticipate that the government's substantial wheat stock, about twice the required minimum, will help mitigate the impact of lower sowing and maintain prices.
However, a modest increase in the minimum support price for wheat may discourage some farmers from continuing to grow the crop, as competing rabi crops like oilseeds and pulses offer higher prices. State governments have encouraged farmers to choose water-efficient crops to increase self-sufficiency. In regions with severe water scarcity, such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana, many farmers may not be able to sow any crops during the rabi season.
Despite the potential decline in production, industry experts remain optimistic that the large government-held wheat stock will prevent significant price hikes. This surplus has already enabled India to export 300,000 tonnes of wheat, lifting a four-year-old ban on exports. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has also issued its first tender for 2026 to sell wheat under the open market sales scheme, further reducing excess stock and stabilizing prices.
Written by urgent.news from The Economic Times - Economy's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
