India's winter set to be warmer, threatening wheat production

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India is likely to see above-average temperatures during the winter, the state meteorological office said on Monday, raising concerns about the yield of crops such as wheat and rapeseed. India is expected to record above-normal minimum and maximum temperatures from December to February, with fewer “cold wave days expected”, the India Meteorological Department said in a statement. Winter-sown crops such as wheat, rapeseed and chickpeas are planted from October to December and need cool weather during their growth and maturity stages to produce optimal yields. The lower output could force the world’s biggest wheat producer after China to import the staple to ensure affordable supplies for its 1.4 billion people, as well as increase imports of pulses and edible oils. New Delhi has so far resisted calls for wheat imports despite record prices, aiming to avoid angering farmers. In recent years, it has become clear that temperature matters far more than other factors ...