In response to increasing temperatures and the heightened risk of heat waves, the government has issued an advisory to wheat farmers aimed at safeguarding their crops across India.
Key Recommendations
Farmers are advised to maintain a moisture level of 12-13% in wheat during harvest, with light irrigation recommended if temperatures exceed normal levels. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a gradual increase in maximum temperatures by 2-3°C in various regions, particularly in North India and along the East and West coasts.
Expert Guidance from ICAR-IIWBR
The Indian Institute of Wheat & Barley Research (ICAR-IIWBR) recommends specific measures tailored to different regions. Farmers in central and peninsular India are advised to ensure proper moisture content during harvest and undertake necessary cleaning for safe storage. Those in the northeast and northwest regions should provide light irrigation to maintain adequate soil moisture for crop maturity.
Mitigating Heat Stress
Dr. Gyanendra Singh, Director of ICAR-IIWBR, suggests spraying Muriate of Potash or Potassium Nitrate mixed with water during the post-anthesis stage to prevent crop desiccation and mitigate heat stress when temperatures exceed 37°C.
Disease Management and Pest Control
Farmers in hilly areas are urged to monitor wheat crops for diseases like yellow rust or brown rust and apply appropriate pesticides. Propiconazole 25EC is recommended, with specific instructions for application provided in the advisory.
Ensuring Sustainable Practices
The advisory stresses the importance of employing only light irrigation for late-sown crops and ceasing irrigation 8-10 days before harvesting to optimize crop health.
Positive Outlook for Wheat Production
Despite the challenges posed by rising temperatures, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare projects a favorable wheat production estimate of 112.02 million tonnes (MT), attributing the increase to a rise in the area sown compared to the previous year.
