India, at present is the second largest producers of Wheat after China accounting about 12% share in the overall world Wheat production. During, independence the scenario was something else where the country was dependent on the other country for meeting their need of wheat, in order to meet that need they used to import wheat from another country. However, the scenario changed after the Green Revolution that took place in the mid-sixties under the command of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug. The revolution had brought some significant change in the methods of irrigation and cultivation performed by the country. These changes have improved the country cultivation and agriculture of India, the impact of this change considerably can be seen on Wheat cultivation, where India is now not more dependent on other country. This change also led the country to become surplus in producing wheat. Now, India is also taking part in international market by exporting their quality of Wheat to another country, with this export for India Wheat is playing a significant role in circulating foreign currencies and improving the economy of the country.In, India mostly three types of wheat are produced, which makes the country as one of the largest producing of Wheat in India. The types of Wheat are as follows: Triticum Aestivum or the common bread wheat accounting about 95% share in the total production of wheat in the country. Major areas- UP, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal, Assam, Parts of MP, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu &Kashmir Triticum Durum or Macaroni Wheat accounting 4% shares in the total production of wheat in the country. Major area- MP, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Southern Rajasthan and few parts of Punjab.
Triticum Dicossum or the Emmer Wheat, which accounting about only 1% in the total production of wheat in the country. Major areas- Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Wheat is the major Rabi crop that used to be sown in the month of September and December; harvested in the month of February and May. Thus, this crop is known as the winter crop as because the crop sown just before the winter commence. The crop is grown over the land of about 29.8 million hectares (approx.) with an average yield of 2907 kg/Hc.
The top 10 major wheat producers’ states in India are summarized below:
10. West Bengal
Last, but not the least West-Bengal is ranked 10th in the list of leading producing states of wheat in the country. The state grows wheat at the rate of 2700kg/hectare in the area of 3 lakh hectare of land which is under the cultivation of wheat.
Uttarakhand the northern part of India is ranked no. 9th in the race of the leading producers of wheat in the country. The state accounts more than 8 lakh metric tonnes of production of wheat every year.
The state of Maharashtra is the only land that grows T. Diccocum species of wheat or Emmer wheat in the river line of Godavari, Krishna and Tapi. The state account for more than 4.5% share of total wheat production in the country which grows in the area of more than 20 lakh hectares of land.
Gujarat is the next leading producers of Wheat in the country which accounts for more than 4% shares of wheat in the country. The states grow mainly T.Aestivum species of wheat in the area of more than 12 lakh hectares of land.
With the productivity of more than 1900 kg/hectare in the area of 21 lakh hectares, and an average production of 40.736 lakh metric tonnes; Bihar is our 6th leading producers of wheat in the country. With irrigation facility and rich fertile soil the state produce some excellent quality of wheat species such as T. Aestivum and T. Durum.
The state which is known as the “Land of Kings” and it is our next leading producers of wheat in the country. The state accounts for more than 8% shares wheat production. The states specialized in two species of wheat: T. Aestivum and T. Durum. It mainly grows wheat in the area of more than 24 lakh hectare.
4. Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh, which due to its location called as “The heart of India” and thus, it is called as “The heart of India”. The state account more than 8.5% share of total wheat production of wheat in the country. The famous and popular Sharbati wheat species are grown in this state only, along with Durum wheat species.
The next states in the leading producers of wheat is Haryana, for states it is the main crop for the states which produces annually more than 116 lakh metric Tonnes of wheat. The states grow this Rabi crop in the area of 25 lakh hectare out of 35 lakh hectares of cultivated land, not only this sates account the highest productivity of wheat which is about to be 4 tonnes/hectare.
Punjab “the land of five rivers” is the 2nd largest producers of wheat in the country which accounts for 18% shares of total shares of wheat production in the country as a result of which it stand after UP. Punjab, mainly grows wheat in 35 lakh hectares of land out of 40 lakh hectares of cultivated land, the reason is that Punjab has a very rich, fertile soil and sufficient amount of water that is very useful for irrigation purpose. Punjab, mainly grows two species of wheat they are Triticum Aestivum and Triticum durum or Macaroni wheat.
1. Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is the India’s leading producers of wheat accounting more than 34% share of total production of wheat in the country. The reason is that the state is rich in fertile soil and also have favorable climate that support the growth of quality of wheat in the region. The states grow the crop in the area more than 96 lakh hectares out of 168 lakh hectares of cultivated land. This mainly grows in three regions of the state’s that are Eastern UP, Western UP and Northern UP. The species of wheat that is grown in this region is Triticum Aestivum or the common bread wheat.