When we talk about India’s food security, one crop that stands tall is wheat. Known as gehu in Hindi, wheat has been the backbone of Indian agriculture and diet for centuries. From chapatis on every dining table to industrial use in bakeries, biscuits, noodles, and packaged food, gehu ki kheti (wheat farming) plays a direct role in ensuring food availability for millions of households.
India is the second-largest wheat producer in the world, cultivating it across more than 30 million hectares. The Green Revolution of the 1960s made wheat farming not only more productive but also a lifeline for food security. Even today, it remains a staple crop that sustains rural incomes and strengthens India’s economy.
Importance of Gehu Ki Kheti in India’s Agriculture
1. Staple Food for Millions: Wheat is the second most consumed grain in India after rice. It is rich in carbohydrates and provides energy to rural as well as urban populations.
2. National Food Security: The government procures wheat under the Public Distribution System (PDS) to supply affordable grains to poor households.
3. Export Potential: India also exports wheat to countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, making it an important agri-commodity for foreign trade.
4. Employment for Farmers: Millions of farmers, especially in northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, depend on gehu ki kheti as their primary source of livelihood.
Major Wheat-Growing States in India
While wheat is grown across many states, these regions dominate wheat production:
- Uttar Pradesh: India’s top wheat producer, contributing about 35% of national output. Fertile soil, irrigation, and farmer dependence make it the leader in gehu ki kheti.
- Madhya Pradesh: Once called the “Soybean Bowl,” MP has become a key wheat producer with modern farming practices, improved seeds, and irrigation boosting its share in wheat production.
- Punjab & Haryana: Known as the cradle of the Green Revolution, these states lead in mechanized wheat farming with high yields, advanced irrigation, and strong procurement support.
- Rajasthan: Though semi-arid, Rajasthan grows wheat successfully with irrigation. Its expanding irrigated zones now contribute significantly to the country’s wheat supply.
- Bihar & Gujarat: These are emerging wheat producers with better irrigation and farming methods. Rising productivity is making them important players in India’s wheat farming map.
Best Season for Gehu Ki Kheti
Wheat is a major Rabi crop, sown in winter and harvested in spring. The ideal sowing period is November–December, while harvesting takes place in March–April. The crop needs a cool climate during germination and growth, followed by warm and dry weather at maturity for best yields. This seasonal cycle makes gehu ki kheti (wheat farming) highly suitable for India’s northern and central plains, ensuring both high productivity and reliable food supply across the country.
Soil and Climate Requirements for Wheat Farming
1. Soil Type: Wheat thrives in loamy and clay-loam soils with good drainage. Such soils hold moisture well and are ideal for healthy gehu ki kheti across India’s plains.
2. Soil pH: The ideal pH for wheat farming is 6.5 to 7.5, which is neutral to slightly alkaline. This range supports strong root growth and boosts crop productivity.
3. Organic Matter: Soils rich in organic matter and nutrients give better yields. Fertile land ensures strong tillering, healthy grain formation, and higher wheat harvests.
4. Temperature: Wheat needs 10–15°C for germination, 20–25°C for growth, and 25–30°C at ripening. Cool winters followed by dry, warm springs give best results.
5. Rainfall: The crop requires 30–40 cm rainfall in its season. Both drought and excessive rains can reduce yields, so irrigation and drainage are critical.
6. Sunlight: Bright sunshine at the grain-filling stage improves kernel size and quality. Adequate light ensures better ripening and stronger productivity in wheat farming.
Improved Varieties of Wheat
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and agricultural universities release high-yielding varieties for different regions. Some popular ones include:
- HD 2967: A widely adopted wheat variety in northern India. It is high yielding and resistant to rust diseases, making it reliable for farmers aiming at strong productivity.
- PBW 725: Known for high yield and disease resistance, this variety is preferred by farmers who want both quantity and quality in their wheat harvest with less crop loss.
- WH 1105: Best suited for Haryana and Punjab, it performs well under irrigated conditions. This variety ensures consistent output and is popular in Green Revolution states.
- MP 3336: Popular in central India, this wheat variety is adaptable to regional climate, giving farmers a dependable choice for steady yield and resistance to pests.
- Lok 1: Highly adaptable across diverse regions of India. Lok 1 is famous for its stability and high yields, making it a trusted choice for sustainable gehu ki kheti.
Process of Wheat Farming (Gehu Ki Kheti)
1. Land Preparation: Farmers plow the field 2–3 times with a tractor to make the soil fine and ready for sowing. A pre-sowing irrigation, also called rauni irrigation, is given to maintain proper soil moisture, ensuring better germination and early crop growth.
2. Seed Selection and Sowing: Certified improved seeds are chosen for better yield and disease resistance. The seed rate is 100–120 kg per hectare, sown at a depth of 4–5 cm using drills for uniform spacing or broadcasting for traditional farming.
3. Fertilizer Management: Wheat needs a balanced mix of nutrients. The recommended dose is 120 kg nitrogen, 60 kg phosphorus, and 40 kg potash per hectare. Fertilizers are applied in split doses, especially nitrogen, in 3–4 stages for better absorption and crop performance.
4. Irrigation: Wheat farming requires timely irrigation. Critical stages are crown root initiation (20–25 days), tillering (40–45 days), booting (60–65 days), flowering (80–85 days), and grain filling (100–110 days). Missing these can reduce yields heavily.
5. Weed Control: Weeds such as Phalaris minor (gulli danda) compete with wheat for nutrients, reducing yields by 30–40%. Farmers practice manual weeding or use herbicides like isoproturon and pendimethalin for effective weed management.
6. Pest and Disease Management: Rust diseases (yellow, brown, black rust) and pests like termites and aphids attack wheat. Farmers use resistant varieties, adopt crop rotation, and apply suitable fungicides or insecticides to prevent crop loss and safeguard yield.
7. Harvesting: Harvesting is done once grains harden and moisture drops below 20%. Large farmers use combine harvesters for efficiency, while small farmers may still rely on sickles. After cutting, wheat is threshed and stored safely in godowns.
Challenges in Wheat Farming (Gehu Ki Kheti)
Despite being the backbone of Indian farming, wheat cultivation faces challenges:
1. Declining Groundwater: Overuse of tube wells in Punjab and Haryana has caused groundwater depletion, threatening irrigation and the sustainability of gehu ki kheti.
2. Climate Change: Rising temperatures and unpredictable rains are shifting crop patterns, reducing wheat yields and creating risks for long-term wheat farming in India.
3. Rising Input Costs: Fertilizers, diesel, and labor costs are increasing, putting pressure on farmers and reducing profit margins in traditional and modern wheat farming.
4. Small Landholdings: Fragmented farms limit mechanization, making gehu ki kheti less efficient and less profitable for small farmers compared to large landowners.
5. Pests & Diseases: Rust, aphids, and termites attack wheat crops. Frequent outbreaks lower yields, forcing farmers to rely on costly pesticides and resistant varieties.
Benefits of Wheat Farming (Gehu ki Kheti)
1. Food Security: Wheat is India’s staple, ensuring regular supply of food grains through the Public Distribution System (PDS) and supporting the nation’s food security mission.
2. Steady Income: With MSP and high demand, gehu ki kheti gives farmers a reliable source of income and reduces the risks of market price fluctuations.
3. Employment: Wheat farming and related activities like storage, transport, and processing provide jobs to millions, strengthening rural livelihoods across India.
4. Export Potential: India exports wheat to many countries, earning foreign exchange and creating new opportunities for farmers and the agricultural economy.
5. Versatility in Use: Wheat is used in flour, bread, biscuits, noodles, and countless products, ensuring constant demand and profitability for wheat farmers.
6. Supports Mechanization: Wheat farming adapts well to modern machinery like seed drills and combine harvesters, reducing labor and improving productivity.
7. Nutritional Value: Wheat is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and minerals, forming a major part of the Indian diet and ensuring nutrition for rural and urban populations.
Government Support for Wheat Farming
1. MSP 2024–25: Government ensures farmer income with wheat’s MSP fixed at Rs.2,275 per quintal, giving price security and protecting farmers from market fluctuations.
2. Seed Subsidy: Farmers receive certified, high-quality wheat seeds at subsidized rates via Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to boost productivity and crop resilience.
3. Soil Health Card: This scheme helps farmers test soil nutrients and guides them to use the right fertilizers in the right amount, improving crop health and yields.
4. Crop Insurance (PMFBY): Protects farmers against crop loss from natural calamities, pests, or diseases, ensuring financial safety and reducing risk in wheat farming.
5. Farm Mechanization: Subsidies are offered for modern equipment like tractors, seed drills, and harvesters, making gehu ki kheti more efficient and less labor-intensive.
Conclusion
Gehu ki kheti is more than just farming; it is the backbone of India’s food security. From the Green Revolution to modern-day mechanized farming, wheat has provided bread, jobs, and economic strength to millions. With improved technology, government support, and farmer awareness, wheat farming in India can become even more sustainable and profitable in the coming years.
As the demand for wheat-based products continues to rise, empowering farmers with better seeds, water management, and modern tools will ensure that India’s golden fields of gehu keep feeding the nation and beyond.