Wheat growing conditions in India are slightly less favorable than last season.
However, heavy use of inputs was a key factor behind last year's record yields, and will again be a crucial determinant of wheat productivity this season. Precipitation data for Indian wheat areas reveal a second very dry season. Rainfall amounts in wheat producing areas are lower for the period October 15 through March 20 compared with the previous two seasons. For all major producing states, rabi season rainfall accumulation is significantly below normal. Assured irrigation is available in most states for a sizeable portion of the crop, though the remaining wheat area is strictly dependent on soil moisture and precipitation.