Statsguru: Why wheat production has been a cause for concern in India

Wheat production declined by 2.5 per cent compared to last year-its lowest level in three years

Data released by the agriculture ministry last week showed that India might beat the target for food grain production in 2021-22. The fourth advanced estimate, released by the ministry, indicated that rice production is expected to touch an all-time high of 130 million tonnes in 2021-22—a 4.8 per cent increase compared to last year. Rice production is expected to be 7.6 per cent higher than the target (chart 1). Pulses and cereal production is expected to touch all-time high as well (chart 2).

Wheat production, however, has been a cause for concern. Wheat production declined by 2.5 per cent compared