Agriculture Ministry says 2025–26 wheat crop 'mixed but resilient' despite February heat
The Agriculture Ministry on 26 April 2026 said the 2025–26 wheat crop, sown on about 33.4 million hectares, saw no major pest or disease and that an extra 0.6 million hectares of area should offset localised losses from February heat stress and hailstorms.
Summary
The 2025–26 wheat season was described as 'mixed but resilient' by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on 26 April 2026, responding to media reports on production. The crop was sown on an estimated 33.4 million hectares and saw no incidence of major pests or diseases, but unusually high February temperatures caused heat stress and shortened grain filling, while untimely rain and hailstorms caused localised damage. The ministry said the additional 0.6 million hectares sown in 2025–26, early sowing and a higher varietal replacement rate would largely offset these losses and keep production stable compared with 2024–25.
Key facts
- Sown area
- ~33.4 million hectares (2025–26)
- Area increase
- Additional 0.6 million hectares
- Pests/diseases
- No major incidence reported
- Stress factors
- February heat; untimely rain and hailstorms
- Offsets
- Early sowing; higher varietal replacement rate
Practice MCQs 2 questions
According to the Agriculture Ministry's clarification of April 2026, the 2025–26 wheat crop was sown on an estimated area of:
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Correct answer: A — 33.4 million hectares
The wheat crop was sown on an estimated 33.4 million hectares, with an additional 0.6 million hectares over the previous year.
Consider the following statements about the 2025–26 wheat crop as per the Agriculture Ministry: 1. A major pest outbreak reduced yields in several states. 2. Unusually high temperatures in February exposed the crop to heat stress. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: no incidence of major pests or diseases was reported. Statement 2 is correct.