Indian Government Says 33.4 Million Hectare of Wheat Crop Remains Resilient Despite Heat Stress
27 April 2026, New Delhi: India’s wheat production outlook for the 2025-26 season remains stable despite weather-related challenges, with the government describing the crop as “mixed but resilient” due to higher acreage, timely sowing, and improved varietal adoption.
According to the official clarification, wheat was sown across an estimated 33.4 million hectares during the current season, reflecting an increase over last year. Early and timely sowing in several regions helped expand acreage and allowed the crop to avoid severe terminal heat stress during key growth stages.
During the latter part of the season, unusually high temperatures in February shortened the grain-filling period in some areas, which may have affected yields. In addition, untimely rainfall and hailstorms at maturity reportedly caused localised damage to grain quality and output in select pockets.
However, authorities noted that no major insect pest or disease incidence was reported in the wheat crop this season. Weed pressure also remained low during crop growth stages, reducing production risks.
The government highlighted several factors supporting resilience in the wheat crop. These include an additional 0.6 million hectares under cultivation, greater adoption of early sowing practices, and faster varietal replacement with high-yielding, climate-resilient, and disease-resistant wheat varieties better suited to withstand heat and biotic stresses.
These gains are expected to compensate for localised weather-related losses and help maintain national wheat production levels comparable to the 2024-25 season.
Strong Procurement Signals from Key States
Procurement trends in major wheat-producing states have also indicated healthy output levels.
In Haryana, wheat arrivals in mandis have crossed the government procurement target of 75 lakh metric tonnes, with 56.13 lakh metric tonnes already purchased. Procurement is reported to be around 9 lakh metric tonnes higher than the same period last year.
In Madhya Pradesh, the initial procurement target of 78 lakh metric tonnes has been revised upward to 100 lakh metric tonnes after higher production expectations and requests from the state government.
Maharashtra’s wheat production for 2025-26 is estimated at around 2.29 million tonnes, continuing its upward trend in recent years. Steady arrivals have been reported from major producing regions including Marathwada and Vidarbha.
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