Untimely rains and hailstorm hit wheat crops in India over 5.23 lakh hectare; farmers stare at yield loss

Untimely rains, hailstorm and strong winds have affected wheat crop across more than 5.23 lakh hectare in three states, triggering fears of huge yield loss for farmers and harvesting challenges. India is one of the major producers of wheat, a key staple for a significant population, and the crop damage scenario also comes against the backdrop of persisting high inflation and food security woes globally amid geopolitical uncertainties. Around 5.23 lakh hectare of wheat crop is estimated to have been damaged in three states -- Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh -- due to the inclement weather, according to officials. The assessment of wheat crop damage in Punjab and Haryana is underway, they said. This year, the wheat sown area is around 34 million hectares. The government is estimating a record 112.2 million tonne wheat output in the ongoing 2022-23 crop year (July-June), the officials said. Union Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja told PTI on Monday the government will ...