Sharbati Wheat of Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh Transformed into Wheat Growing Hub

The soy state is turning over a new leaf. Now Madhya Pradesh has earned a name for its high wheat production and quality. Farmers of Madhya Pradesh are moving towards scientific farming with the help of KVK. They have slowly scripted a new success story by producing the best wheat in India. Amongst many farmers of the state, one from the Malwa region of Ujjain district has belied all the previous notions. When it comes to taste, quality and other attributes, Madhya Pradesh's Sharbati tops the charts in demand in the metros. The lustrous, golden grain commands premium price. Being re-christened golden or premium wheat in wholesale and retail markets of Mumbai, Pune, Ahmadabad and Hyderabad or simply, MP wheat in major North Indian markets like Delhi.

The Torch Bearer

Shri Yogendra Kaushik (61) resident of village Ajdawada district Ujjain (M.P.) completed his education in ICE (Mech.) during 1970- 71. Instead of searching job, he intrinsically adopted farming on 9.5 ha. land. He struggled to do something innovative and get rid of the traditional system of farming where he could just harvest Soybean, Chickpea, and Wheat, the productivity of which was slightly higher than the district average i.e., Soybean (JS-335) in Kharif and Gram (Dollar) and Wheat (Lok-1) in Rabi season. And the mean production of both crops was near about 15 q./ha and 50-52 q./ha respectively. But after 35 years of endurance he came into contact with KVK in 2005. Since then his thought, vision and approach towards scientific farming changed. After attending series of trainings and exposure visits he could achieve that goal for which he dreamt for almost four decades. This could be a valuable example for all the farmers in adopting the scientific technologies.

Production reached up to 95.32 q/ha.

Mr. Kaushik being a contract farmer was in touch with KVK Ujjain and hence, amongst the various seed based technologies assessed; the most promising for wheat crop was the variety HI-8663 (Poshan). KVK was instrumental in making available 50 kg breeder seed from IARI, Indore. The crop was sown in the month of November with full package of practices. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (RVSKVV) Ujjain (M.P.) was instrumental in providing 50 kg breeder seed of wheat (Variety- HI- 8663) which was sown in the 0.4 ha land. Crop cutting was done in the presence of revenue officials, Patwari, SADO, RAEO and other local villagers who witnessed the bumper production of wheat (HI-8663) recording 95.32 q/ha.

It will cover the loss in wheat production

Recently, Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report and several other studies indicate a probability of 10-40% loss in crop production in India and other countries of South Asia with increases in temperature by 2080-2100 and decrease in irrigation water. India could lose 4-5 million tons wheat production with every rise of 1⁰ C temperature throughout the growing period even after considering carbon fertilization (but no adaptation benefits).

HI 8663 (Poshan) is beneficial for farmers

HI 8663 (Poshan) is a novel genotype characterized by excellent grain quality, high and stable yield. It can serve as a naturally bi-fortified food and can be used for "dual purpose", i.e., both for 'nutritive chapatti' and semolina, required for fast food preparation, because of its high β-carotene, high hectoliter weight, high SDS sedimentation value, higher protein content, high levels of micronutrients, lowest mottling (yellow berry incidence) and having better overall acceptability (7.0) for pasta. This variety was notified in May 2008 for cultivation under high fertility irrigated and timely sown conditions of Peninsular Zone. It is a widely adapted and high yielding variety, showing 1.4% to 28.4% yield superiority over checks MACS 2846, NIDW 295 and GW 1189. HI 8663 has shown good adaptation more number of tillers per sq. m, as compared to checks. It combines early maturity, tolerance to terminal heat stress. It ensures stability in wheat production and better yield even under deficient irrigation availability in Central Zone.