Karnal, Jan. 16 -- Despite bone-chilling cold and a prolonged dry spell, agriculture experts remain optimistic about the health of the wheat crop in Haryana and expect an increase in production this season.

Over the past 15 days, the state has witnessed a sharp drop in minimum temperatures, falling 3-4degC below normal. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Chandigarh centre, Haryana recorded no rainfall in December, in contrast to 26.1 mm of rain during the same period last year. IMD archives show that a similar dry spell was last observed in 2022 and 2005.

So far this month, the state has received just 0.7 mm of rainfall against the normal average of 5.5 mm, the weather department said in its weekly bulletin.

However...