ગુજરાતી
English
Dilip Patel
Ahmedabad, 2 April 2025
Farmers have abandoned cultivation of traditional varieties of wheat. Traditional varieties have been less affected by diseases and climate change. The demand for traditional varieties of all crops is increasing. This year a large number of farmers in Gujarat have cultivated 2,000-year-old wheat variety Sona Moti. Earlier, hybrid wheat did not have caterpillars. For the last three years, caterpillars have been coming here. So he is incurring losses. Therefore, farmers are now increasingly turning to gold and pearls. This wheat does not get infested with insects, so this is a big advantage. They have cultivated it by bringing seeds from outside Gujarat. Emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccum) is one of the oldest varieties of wheat in the world.
Harappan wheat
There is a lot of discussion after the cultivation of a new variety of wheat in Gujarat.
People living in the Harappan period were skilled in agriculture. Rice, wheat, lentils, peas and cotton were cultivated in the Harappan period. ‘This variety of wheat is of a particularly Indian variety. Its history is associated with the Harappan civilization. It is the native species of India, which plays an important role in eliminating diseases.
Wheat resembling golden pearls was grown in the Harappan period. It is the oldest species of wheat. Wheat contains 3 times more folic acid than other species. The grain of golden pearl-like wheat is not long but round. Wheat is said to be very beneficial for health.
There are 700 Harappan sites in Gujarat. Rozdi Haddpan site in Rajkot was an agricultural village. There are many such villages. Evidence of cultivation of golden pearl wheat from the Harappan period exists in India and Pakistan.
Ucha Khubi
The seeds are round and the stalk is short. A pod contains 50 or more seeds. The average yield is 18 to 22 quintals per acre. The height of this plant is also not more than 2 to 2.5 feet, due to which there is no danger of it falling in winter winds.
Farmers are getting good prices not so that they can save golden wheat from extinction, but so that it can withstand the weather and benefit health.
Since the nutritional value of golden pearl wheat is high, its price is also high. This is what farming is all about.
Gold-Pearl is an ancient variety of wheat. It has very low gluten content. Additionally, this type of wheat has high glycemic and folic acid content. Overall, this ancient variety of wheat is known for its high nutritional properties. Gold and pearls are in high demand due to being healthy. Its price is double that of other wheat varieties.
Laljibhai was the first farmer
34-year-old farmer Laljibhai Mansukhbhai Tadhani of Jasdan Panchwada village has been cultivating gold pearls for 4 years. He ordered seeds online from Punjab in 2021. Transplanted in 2 bighas. Black wheat seeds were also ordered along with gold pearls. But due to lack of demand for black wheat and not getting the price, its cultivation has been stopped.
Laljibhai has given seeds to many farmers. Therefore, now hundreds of farmers are sowing wheat crop.
Roti
Bhakri is made well, but the roti becomes hard.
Production
Laljibhai says that 30 to 35 maunds of crop is harvested. Whereas the price of a bundle of wheat is 45 to 55 maunds. Thus the production is less. But the cost is zero. A little more water is needed.
About 18 to 25 quintals of yield can be obtained from this per acre.
It is planted around Diwali. 8 to 10 kg of seeds are required in one bigha. Which requires 50 percent less seeds than the existing improved wheat variety.
Award
Laljibhai has been awarded the Best Farmer Award for 2022-23 by the Director of Agriculture – ATMA. In which gold and pearl wheat are mentioned.
Market
There are 15 customers. All the people place orders on the phone in advance. They give advance amount. In which we send transport locally, Rajkot, Kutch, Ahmedabad, Surat, Gandhinagar, they give advance payment. As customers are increasing, cultivation is increasing by one bigha every year. There is a plan to plant in 5 to 6 bighas next year.
Price
These people have been taking it for 4 years. Its price is Rs 80 per kg.
First farmer
Laljibhai, while telling his experience, says, “I first sowed Sona Moti wheat. This wheat is naturally preserved. Like wild varieties. Therefore, there is no need to spend much on it.
If we use indigenous manure and Jeevamrit as a base, then there will be no need for other fertilizers. Twice the number of sprouts are produced from one seed as compared to popular varieties. It grows after a month. The stem is small and the leaf is large. It ripens 10-15 days later than traditional wheat.
Pros
Sona Moti wheat variety is full of good qualities. Due to low gluten and glycemic content in it, it is beneficial for diabetes and heart patients. It contains many times more folic acid than other grains, which proves useful for blood pressure and heart disease patients.
It contains 267% more minerals and 40% more protein. Due to lack of folic acid, hair starts turning gray prematurely. Mouth ulcers and swelling in the tongue. Due to low gluten content in it, its glycemic index is also low, which makes it beneficial for diabetics.
It has very little sugar. One of the most important benefits of this variety is that it is low in sugar and it is also low in glycemic index.
It is negligible or zero. Therefore, Sona Moti variety is also called sugar-free wheat.
Sale up to 8 thousand rupees
Ordinary wheat is being sold at Rs 25 per kg or Rs 40 per kg in APMC. Sona and Moti have been sold from the farm at a rate of Rs 100-150 per kg. 80 per kg. The price of Swarna-Moti wheat is about 4 times more than that of ordinary wheat. Its price is Rs 100 per 100 kg. 8 thousand.
Agriculture
Soil preference or type – This wheat is suitable for black soil. Cold climate is better for its production. It can be grown everywhere except South India.
Plantation
Its seeds should be sown at the rate of 25 to 30 kg per acre. For seed treatment
Take 2 liters of fresh or old Desi cow urine, mix 250 grams of coriander powder and 250 grams of red chili powder in it and make a paste, keep the paste for 10 minutes and then apply it on the seeds. Let it remain like this for half an hour, then sow the seeds so that the seeds germinate well and no animal or fungus can harm the seeds.
Fertilizer
100 kg of lime powder and 50 kg of neem are mixed and sprinkled on the empty field, then the field is plowed and left in the sun for at least 5 days or at least 15 days.
Sowing
The ideal time for sowing is from October 15 to November 15. The cold weather in Gujarat has already started ending, so sowing is starting earlier. It takes 140 days for the crop to ripen. Watering at least 4 times is necessary. One seed produces twice the number of seedlings as compared to popular varieties. It grows after a month. The stem is small and the leaves are large. It ripens 10-15 days later than traditional wheat.
Organic manure
As organic manure, mix 10 kg of rotten cow dung manure, 2 tonnes of phospho compost organic manure or 500 kg of organic potash manure per acre and plough the field well. Then sow.
Disease
This variety is resistant to diseases. Farmers have achieved good results by mixing 2 liters of cow urine and 100 ml of neem oil in 13 liters of water and spraying it twice at an interval of 30 days.
Laljibhai says that earlier caterpillars did not come in hybrid wheat. For the last three years, caterpillars have been coming here. That is why he is incurring losses. That is why farmers are now rapidly turning towards gold and pearls. This wheat does not get insects, so this is a big advantage. This is what Laljibhai says.
Watering
After the first watering on the 25th day, prepare a solution of manure in the pot and give it with water. If you also mix the soil of the pot with water after every watering, then good results are obtained. Watering is required 4 or more times.
Punjab
Last season, its price in Punjab was up to Rs 8,000 per quintal. This variety is popular in states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh etc. Now farmers in Gujarat are sowing it in their fields.
Cultivation of Sona and Moti wheat varieties is being promoted in Bihar. Bihar State Corporation Limited has been asked to provide seeds. The Bihar government has provided seeds for its cultivation in other places including Gujarat. Which the farmers of Gujarat have brought. (Google translation from Gujarati)
