The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has said the 2025–26 wheat season remains “mixed but resilient,” with overall production expected to stay stable despite weather-related challenges.
Wheat was sown over an estimated 33.4 million hectares this season, with no major pest or disease outbreaks reported. Officials said timely and early sowing led to an increase in cultivated area compared to last year.
However, unusually high temperatures in February exposed crops to heat stress, affecting grain filling and yields. In addition, untimely rainfall and hailstorms in some regions caused localised damage to crop quality and output.
Despite these setbacks, the government expressed cautious optimism, citing several mitigating factors. These include an additional 0.6 million hectares under cultivation, increased early sowing, low weed infestation, and wider adoption of high-yielding and climate-resilient seed varieties.
Procurement trends from key states also indicate steady production. In Haryana, wheat arrivals have exceeded procurement targets, with over 56 lakh metric tonnes already purchased. Madhya Pradesh has raised its procurement target from 78 to 100 lakh metric tonnes due to higher output expectations. Maharashtra is also witnessing steady arrivals, with production estimated at around 22.9 lakh tonnes.
Officials said the combined impact of improved farming practices and increased acreage is expected to offset weather-related losses, supporting stable national wheat production compared to the previous season.
