Story perspectives

Record Wheat Planting Faces Challenges from Warming February

2/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

By January 23, Indian farmers planted record areas of wheat and rapeseed: 33.42 million hectares for wheat and 8.94 million hectares for rapeseed.
February is expected to be warmer and drier, with rainfall in the northwestern wheat region below 78% of the long-term average.
Higher temperatures may shorten the growing period, reducing yields for wheat and rapeseed.
A Mumbai dealer warns that lower rapeseed yields could raise India's cooking-oil imports.

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Story summary

By January 23, Indian farmers planted record areas of wheat and rapeseed: 33.42 million hectares for wheat and 8.94 million hectares for rapeseed.
February is expected to be warmer and drier, with rainfall in the northwestern wheat region below 78% of the long-term average.
Higher temperatures may shorten the growing period, reducing yields for wheat and rapeseed.
A Mumbai dealer warns that lower rapeseed yields could raise India's cooking-oil imports.