India’s wheat acreage could decline by 5–10% during the 2026–27 winter cropping season as water scarcity and concerns over minimum support prices prompt farmers to reconsider planting decisions. According to executives from the wheat processing industry cited by The Economic Times, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are among the regions likely to face a significant impact, with farmers potentially shifting to less water-intensive crops or leaving fields uncultivated. State governments are encouraging crop diversification to reduce pressure on scarce water resources. Although government wheat stocks are estimated to be around twice the prescribed buffer requirement, potentially cushioning the effects of reduced sowing, the situation highlights the growing vulnerability of India’s food production to water stress. The potential decline in wheat acreage underscores the need to strengthen climate-resilient agriculture through efficient irrigation, crop diversification, improved soil-moisture conservation and water-sensitive agricultural planning.
Source: ET