Wheat shortfall might not impact Uttar Pradesh: Surya Pratap Shahi

LUCKNOW: The projected shortfall in wheat production might not have an adverse impact in Uttar Pradesh as the state has been producing excess of 80,000 metric tons to 1 lakh metric tons of wheat. The area of concern this year is that wheat production might see a shortfall of around 20 metric tons in the state. Pan-India, according to a report, wheat production might see a fall of around 3% from last year’s figures.
The primary reason, according to officials, is the climatic condition of rising temperatures and the shrinking production area. This year alone, wheat production land size has come down by 70,000 hectares, officials said.
Agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi said that land size is coming down every year due to various reasons. However, the one main reason is urbanisation of rural areas. With agriculture land use being changed for plotting purposes, the land bank for agriculture production is seeing a continuous fall.
On shortfall in wheat production, Shahi said that it will not have much impact in the state as UP has been producing excess wheat to the tune of around 1 lakh metric tons. Even if wheat production comes down by 20 metric tons, it will not be a situation of panic for the state, officials told TOI.
Last year, wheat production was 374 metric tons. However, it was projected to be around 379 metric tons. This year, wheat production is projected to be around 354 metric tons which is 20 metric tons less than last year. However, even if it comes down further from the projected production, the shortfall is unlikely to go below 30,000 metric tons.
Through another estimate, officials have concluded that the projected growth of wheat last year was around 38 quintal per hectare, while this year it is estimated at 36 quintal per hectare. This means that there would be a shortfall of around two quintal per hectare this year. Officials told TOI that the actual estimate of wheat production would be known in a fortnight or so as the analysis of wheat production is on. The actual production would be known only after a fortnight.
Coming to other focus areas, Shahi said that as per a 100-day plan, the agricultural department is focusing on building ponds for irrigation. This time a target of 7,000 ponds on the field has been set. Similarly, the state government has sought at least 15,000 solar pumps for distribution, Shahi said and added that the state government is waiting for the central government’s nod for the solar pump.
In the past five years, around 25,000 solar pumps were distributed among farmers. While earlier mostly 3.5 HW power solar pumps were distributed, this year one category of 7.5 HW has also been increased. Such pumps would be effective in dry regions like Bundelkhand, Shahi said. Similarly, focus is on constructing ponds in the field in Bundelkhand region.
Coming to soil health cards, Shahi said that the scheme is over now and the state government has been able to distribute over 3 crore soil health cards. Now, the focus is on giving soil health cards to those who are involved in organic farming.