Black Wheat: Shahjahanpur Farmers Embrace Black Wheat Cultivation, Focus on Installation of Processing Units

Numerous farmers in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur district are displaying eagerness to engage in black wheat cultivation, despite the lack of a local market posing challenges for many. Black wheat, distinguished by its high anthocyanin content, an antioxidant pigment, boasts enhanced nutritional value.

According to Shahjahanpur District Magistrate Umesh Pratap Singh, this season witnessed black wheat cultivation spanning over 250 acres, involving more than 200 farmers in the district.

In the local market, farmers in Shahjahanpur are selling wheat at a rate of Rs 6,000 per quintal, while in major cities, the price ranges between Rs 10,000 and Rs 12,000 per quintal. The district administration is actively working towards ensuring that the farmers reap the benefits at the local level.

Prem Shankar Gangwar, a resident of Tilhar, expressed his experimental venture in cultivating black wheat on a one-acre land. Alongside the cultivation, he established a food processing unit specifically for this crop, where biscuits are being produced using black wheat instead of regular flour. According to Gangwar, black wheat flour has emerged as a superior substitute for conventional flour.

Gangwar noted that black wheat stands apart from regular wheat in terms of taste, offering a distinct nutritional value. While the crop initially resembles wheat, its grains darken as they mature. He further mentioned that the flour derived from black wheat bears a striking resemblance to 'sattu,' a gram-based product.

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Shyam Bahadur Singh, the Chief Development Officer of Shahjahanpur, has announced that comprehensive guidance on cultivating black wheat has been provided to farmers across all villages.

In addition to ensuring the availability of quality seeds, the agriculture department has assembled a dedicated team that will provide training to farmers on effectively cultivating this unique variety. Moreover, the inspection team will assess the crops and provide guidance on effective crop maintenance.

Avadhesh Verma, a farmer residing in the Dadraul region of Shahjahanpur district, expressed his experience by stating, "I cultivated black wheat on land measuring 10 bighas, equivalent to approximately 6.24 acres. Unfortunately, due to the absence of a local market, I had to sell the wheat at an extremely low price. However, the online market offered prices ranging from Rs 80-100 per kilogram." Regarding the challenges faced by the farmers, the District Magistrate (DM) remarked, "We are actively encouraging farmers to engage in black wheat cultivation to enhance their income. In our upcoming 'Udyog Bandhu' meeting, we will address the matter of establishing food processing units specifically for black wheat in this area."

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After the installation of processing units, a greater number of farmers in Shahjahanpur will reap the benefits. Furthermore, the agriculture department officials have been instructed to establish communication with traders to facilitate the purchase of black wheat.

'Udyog Bandhu,' an organization established by the Uttar Pradesh government, serves as a valuable ally to the industry. Its primary objective is to facilitate investments in both industrial and service sectors while effectively resolving challenges faced by existing and upcoming businesses.

Moreover, 'Udyog Bandhu' actively collaborates with various government departments to streamline processes and ensure smooth operations for industries. 

-PTI

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