1.
GV Harvested wheat crop lying damaged in field
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2.
GV ZOOM INTO SV Farmers trying to rescue stacks of damaged wheat
0.34

3.
CU/GV Farmer loading damaged wheat on to cart
0.43

4.
GV Crop in rain-soaked fields (2 shots)
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5.
GV Thresher lying idle with rain-soaked damaged crop nearby (2 shots)
1.07

6.
GVs Grain market with little activity. Farmer bringing his grain on a cart to market (2 shots)
1.23

7.
GVs Workers sorting the grain, and sacks of grain (3 shots)
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In Northern India a record grain harvest lies in ruins after sudden heavy May rains which severely damaged much of the wheat crop. The State governments of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Harayana have reported that minimum damage ranges from 30 to 40 per cent. The Punjab government is reported to be most pessimistic as most of the crop in its northern parts was still to be harvested when the untimely rains came. In the villages around the capital, Delhi, the picture is much the same. Harvested stacks of wheat are lying soaked in the fields. Some farmers were making efforts to dry out the stacks by putting them out upside down in the sun. For some the quick return to hot sunny weather has come too late. Threshers are lying idle at what is normally the busiest time of the year. In the agricultural market town of Smalkha, there were few farmers with wheat to sell. The State governments have sent out survey to assess the damage. But the Indian press is already talking about the national government needing to import wheat again to offset losses. Grain was imported last year from Australia and the United States. The Food Corporation of India has been advised to purchase whatever wheat comes its way.