Before Harvest, The Weather Poses a Threat to Indian Winter Crops

The weather service in India has issued a warning that the central, northern, and western regions may experience additional rain and hailstorms over the course of the next ten days. Production could be reduced as a result, which would increase food inflation, which the government and central bank have been attempting to control.

Lower rapeseed production may force the world's largest buyer of edible oils to increase imports of palm oil, soy oil, and sunflower oil. Lower wheat production may make it difficult for New Delhi to replenish inventories.

"Since winter crop harvesting has just begun, rainfall and hailstorms are causing concern. Standing crops would be impacted, and the output might be decreased "ILA Commodities India Pvt Ltd. director Harish Galipelli said.

Wheat, rapeseed, and chickpeas are typically planted in October and November and harvested beginning in late February.

In the coming days, states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Maharashtra may experience hailstorms and wind gusts that exceed 30 kph, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

According to farmer Ramrai Bohara of Rajasthan, the state that produces the most rapeseed, crops that were sown in the winter have already experienced stress from above-average temperatures and early maturation.

According to data from the weather department, the highest temperature in some wheat-growing regions this month exceeded 39 degrees Celsius, which is nearly seven degrees Celsius above average.

"For the next two to three weeks, we don't want any rain or strong winds. Crops would deteriorate, making harvesting challenging "Bohara remarked.

A dealer with a multinational trading house in Mumbai claimed that rain would not only lower yields but also have the potential to lower the quality of the harvest.

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