Officials of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said this is due to change in climate.

The DAE targeted production of 40,000 metric tons of wheat from 20,000 hectors of land this year. Though this is lesser than earlier production, the target is unlikely to be fulfilled. Farmers cultivated wheat only on 9,950 hectares this year and the production will not exceed 15,000 tonnes, they said.

Earlier, wheat was cultivated on more than 40,000 hectors of land production would rally around one lakh tonnes. The cultivation declined gradually.

Talking to this correspondent, some farmers said high price of seed, fertiliser and diesel for irrigation discouraged them in wheat cultivation.

Besides, change in climate is also a major factor. They said, earlier they used to sow wheat in late Agrahayan and early Poush (Bangla months). The winter used to last till the end of Magh. Now, winter ends by the middle of Magh, when plants start flowering. The crop does not grow if the winter ends, they said.

In the last few years, the winter season started earlier and ended earlier, they said.