India expands wheat area to offset yield losses from heat

India expects to maintain stable wheat production in the 2025/26 season despite adverse weather conditions affecting yields. According to the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, wheat area exceeded 33.4 mln ha, increasing by more than 0.6 mln ha from the previous year. The expansion in planted area is expected to largely offset localized crop losses.

The main challenge this season was unusually high temperatures in February, which caused heat stress, shortened the grain-filling period and negatively affected yields. Untimely rainfall and hailstorms during crop maturity also damaged grain quality and production in some regions. At the same time, a significant increase in early sowing helped part of the crop escape the most damaging late-season heat.

The Indian government also pointed to wider adoption of improved wheat varieties resistant to heat, diseases and other stresses. No significant yield losses from pests or diseases were reported this season. As a result, despite lower yields in some regions, larger planted area, earlier sowing and more resilient varieties are expected to keep India’s overall wheat production stable.

Tags: wheat, India, sown area