The government is taking proactive steps to enhance the accuracy of crop production estimates by deploying field verification and remote sensing techniques across the country. This decision comes after a significant disparity was identified in wheat production projections for the 2023-24 crop year, with the agriculture ministry estimating 112.7 million tonnes while the industry projected 101-103 million tonnes.
Food and Public Distribution Secretary, Sanjeev Chopra, acknowledged the mismatch in figures and emphasized the need to bring these estimates closer to ground reality. He stated, “To ensure that this kind of disparity is kept to a bare minimum, you will see things changing in the next one or two years to make the figures we are quoting become more driven by the ground reality.”
One of the strategies being employed is the use of field verification and remote sensing, similar to Karnataka’s approach for fruit production. This technology will be integrated into the Agri-stack, also known as the India Digital Ecosystem for Agriculture, developed since 2020 and is set to roll out across the country in phases. Agristack is designed as a federated structure with data ownership vested in the states, allowing the government access to the Federated Farmers’ database.
Addressing the challenges posed by climate change, Chopra highlighted efforts to develop heat-tolerant wheat varieties. Heatwaves during the growing stage in January-March often affect both the quantity and quality of wheat crops. To bolster wheat crop productivity, the agriculture ministry and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) are collaborating with state governments, with a target of increasing wheat yield by 20% over three years.
In an effort to enhance wheat security, the government plans to procure and distribute 2.8 million tonnes of millets, a significant increase from the previous season’s 700,000 tonnes. Chopra reassured that there are no wheat shortages in the country and provided a breakdown of available stocks.
With a calculated estimate of 100 million tonnes of wheat production in the previous year, 26 million tonnes have been procured by the government in the ongoing season, leaving 39 million tonnes in stock. Additionally, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) started the season with 8.4 million tonnes in stock, and flour millers also hold some stock. The government has 8.7 million tonnes available for market intervention at the end of the year, along with a buffer stock of 7.6 million tonnes, ensuring adequate wheat reserves for food security. Chopra affirmed that the government is well-prepared to intervene as needed to maintain food security, as it has done in the past.