Maharashtra farmers plant wheat with a healthy hue

A several progressive farmers in the Satara district of Maharashtra have planted black wheat in November. It is a range developed by the Nationwide Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) for its antioxidants properties. Other types with colours such as purple and blue have also been developed by NABI. Farmers in Punjab, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh have also experimented with these types.

NABI is an autonomous institute underneath the Office of Biotechnology.

Already organic food stuff corporations are sensing an prospect in the retail market place. Purple wheat flour in just one kilogram packs are offered at ₹399, though yet another firm is marketing 450 gm of black wheat flour for about ₹165.

Disputed promises

However, Director of Karnal ICAR– Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Exploration (IIWBR), GP Singh stated that the black wheat, which has been developed by NABI is not a wheat range launched by Central Sub-Committee on Crop Requirements, Notification and Launch of Types for Agricultural Crops. For a wheat range to be discovered and launched, a gazette notification has to be issued. The reasons for NABI to propagate black wheat is not recognized, it has not been analyzed thoroughly. But NABI’s guidance for business cultivation of such sorts of wheat types is not right, he stated.

Singh was of the impression that the farmers will uncover such a style of wheat, complicated to market as consumer preference is not for black wheat. In addition, the promises designed by NABI’s researchers about black wheat have not been clinically verified. As a result, IIWBR has hardly ever propagated black wheat. IIWBR’s possess evaluation of black wheat for antioxidants properties could not be verified, he stated.

Superfood tag

On the other hand, senior agriculture scientist with NABI, Monika Garg whose self-control and specialization is wheat processing and nutritional high quality stated that there are compounds called anthocyanins with antioxidant properties. In increased concentrations, they are located in selected berries and black plum (Jamun).

Experiments have proven that they are fantastic for wellness in combating way of living disorders like diabetic issues and cardiovascular conditions. Coloured wheat is loaded in anthocyanins and hence has large antioxidant exercise. It can be included in the superfood classification, she stated.

Garg stated twenty corporations have signed MOU/NDA with NABI for farming and solution improvement for commercialisation of colored wheat. NABI is not offering seeds straight to the farmers. With the raise in customer consciousness about nutritious foods, its cultivation is predicted to raise promptly, she stated.