The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare issued a clarification on 26 April 2026 after media reports raised concerns over the 2025-26 wheat crop. The Ministry described the season as mixed but resilient: climatic stress was visible, yet farmer adaptation, higher acreage and better varieties were expected to protect national output. Wheat was sown on an estimated 3.34 crore hectares, with area rising over the previous year because of early and timely sowing. The crop faced unusually high February temperatures that shortened the grain-filling period and reduced yield potential. Untimely rainfall and hailstorms near maturity also caused likely localised damage to grain quality and yield in a few areas. However, the Ministry said no major insect-pest or disease incidence was reported, weed infestation stayed low, and no yield loss was reported due to pests or diseases. Early sowing helped a large part of the crop avoid terminal heat during grain filling. An additional 6 lakh hectares under wheat in 2025-26 is expected to partly offset local losses. The Ministry also cited an improved varietal replacement rate, meaning faster adoption of high-yielding, climate-resilient and disease-resistant varieties that can better face heat and biological stresses. Procurement data was used to support the resilience claim. Haryana mandis had crossed the 75 lakh metric tonne government procurement target in arrivals, with 56.13 lakh metric tonnes already purchased and procurement about 9 lakh metric tonnes higher than the same period last year. Madhya Pradesh raised its procurement goal from 78 lakh metric tonnes to 100 lakh metric tonnes after the state reported high production estimates. Maharashtra's 2025-26 wheat output was estimated at around 22.90 lakh tonnes, with steady late-April arrivals from Marathwada and Vidarbha. The Ministry reiterated that local weather damage had occurred, but increased acreage, early sowing, improved agronomy and better varietal adoption supported stable national wheat production compared with 2024-25.