Despite bad weather that damaged rabi crops last week, farmers in Punjab are all set to have a bumper wheat crop this year. There is all possibility that the state may set a new record as far as per hectare yield of wheat is concerned. The average yield per hectare is certain to go up this year. Farmers say that per acre yield this year varies between 20 and 22 quintals, whereas last year it was 17 and 19 quintals. Even the quality of the wheat grains is better this year compared to previous years. During the past few years, wheat yield was not very satisfying. However, this year, if weather remains fine during the next three weeks and did not cause any further damage to crop, smile will be back on the face of farmers. Punjab has been given a target to procure 80 lakh tonnes for the central pool. Keeping in view the existing inflow of wheat in various grain markets, there should be no problem in achieving the target. Sources said that about 5.50 lakh tonnes of wheat was arriving daily. This trend will continue for about a week more. Already about 27 lakh tonnes of wheat has arrived in various grain markets. Sher Singh, a farmer from Boor Majra, says that the yield of early sown wheat is less compared to the timely sown wheat. He said by and large, the yield of wheat is good in the Morinda region. Officials of the market committee at Morinda told The Tribune that last year, the total arrival of the wheat in grain market there was 1 lakh quintals. This year, already 70,000 quintals of wheat has arrived. By the end of procurement, the figure will certainly touch 1.50 lakh quintals. Same is the case of the Bassi Pathana market where already 77,000 quintals of wheat has arrived and is likely to go up to 2 lakh quintals by the end of the procurement season. Last year, the total arrival in that grain market was 1.46 lakh quintals. Commission agents also corroborate what farmers say with regard to the better yield of wheat compared to last a few years. Asked with regard to the wheat yield, director agriculture, Punjab, Balwinder Singh Sidhu said, "Certainly we are going to break the 42 quintal barrier this year as far as the per hectare yield of wheat is concerned. I feel that we will touch a figure of 43 quintals.' However, it would not be correct to say at this stage that a new record of wheat production in the state would be set up this year. Contrary to expectations, most of the farmers are releasing their wheat stock immediately after its threshing and not holding it back. Asked in this connection, Kulwant Singh, a farmer near Sirhind, said "to retain wheat stock is a costly affair. One has to take its extra care because it is prone to attack by insects'. Early, there was impression in official circles that farmers may hold back the stock and sell the same at the time of further increase in the price of wheat in the open market.