Punjab records 11% higher yield of wheat this year

State agriculture director Jasbir Singh Bains said productivity of wheat has increased from 4,700 kg per hectare last year to 5,047 kg per hectare this year.

Even as the area under wheat crop has decreased in Punjab, the state has recorded 11% higher yield in comparison to previous year and the highest production of crop in the past five years.

Productivity of crop has increased from last year’s 4,700 kg per hectare to 5,047 kg per hectare this time. (HT File Photo)

State agriculture director Jasbir Singh Bains said productivity of wheat has increased from 4,700 kg per hectare last year to 5,047 kg per hectare this year.

He said production of wheat has reached around 177 lakh metric tonne (MT) this year, which is the second best in the history of state. Notably, the highest production of 180 lakh MT was witnessed in the state in 2011-12. The combined production of wheat and paddy crops is highest ever at 303 lakh MT.

Bains, who was here to inspect the arrangements for implementation of various agriculture schemes, usage of machines and farming activities, said wheat crop was cultivated over 34,97,000 hectare this year which is less than previous year’s 35,12,000 hectare.

“While the area under wheat and paddy has decreased this year, record productivity of both the crops has been witnessed. This could be possible only due to crop residue management, control over yellow rust management, timely sowing and irrigation, technology transfer and farmer-training camps,” he said.

Asked about major challenges ahead, the director said decreasing soil productivity, depletion of ground water, climate change and implementation of crop diversification are on the department’s radar.

He said they are guiding the farmers to use modern techniques and technology to conquer these challenges. He said ground water is depleting by 40 cm to 80 cm every year in the state and 110 of 146 states are over-exploited.