Wheat Yields at Risk as India Faces Unusually Warm February

Image Source: Carbon Impacts

India's wheat crop faces a significant threat as temperatures soar above normal levels this February. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warns that parts of Northwest and Central India may experience temperatures up to 5°C higher than average. This unseasonable warmth could lead to forced maturity, sterile spikelets, and chaffy grains, potentially reducing wheat yields for the fourth consecutive year. Experts advise farmers to implement light irrigation and other protective measures to mitigate the impact. The situation is particularly concerning for major wheat-producing states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, where the crop is at a critical growth stage.
Sources: The New Indian Express, Reuters, India Meteorological Department