High temperature unlikely to damage wheat crops, says Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra
Union Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra asserted that wheat crops are unlikely to get damaged although temperatures are little bit on higher side and exuded confidence of achieving a record output of 112 million tonne in this crop year ending June. The secretary said the ban on wheat exports would continue, boosting the availability of grains for the government procurement.
He said the government would procure around 35 million tonne of wheat in 2023-24 marketing year (April-March).
The bulk of procurement of wheat, a major rabi crop, takes place between April and June.
Heat may scorch fruit, vegetable output by 30%
Production of fruits and vegetables in the country may fall up to 30% this season as farmers report damages to their crop due to high temperatures amid the ongoing flowering and fruiting process.
While mango farmers have already reported massive flower and fruit drop, the sudden and early onset of summer will also adversely affect lychee, citrus fruits, watermelons, bananas, and cashew crops, experts said. Vegetables like cabbage, cauliflowers, leafy vegetables, and tomatoes will not only be of lower size but of lower nutritional content, they said.
Demand for J&K, Himachal apples rises as Turkey quake hits supply
Demand for apples from Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh has shot up 30% as the earthquake in Turkey has halted shipments of the fruit to India, said traders. Prices of apples have risen about 25%, providing some relief to domestic growers who have been facing stiff competition from Turkish apples, they said.
“The severe earthquake that rocked Turkey last month has impacted exports of apples from the country to India. The domestic demand is now being met by the apples produced in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir,” said Tarun Arora, director of IG International, a fruit importing firm.
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