12 August 2024, New Delhi: In a significant step towards enhancing India’s agricultural resilience, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled a new climate-resilient wheat variety, Pusa Gehun Gaurav (HI 8840). This variety, developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), is designed to address the diverse and challenging climatic conditions that impact wheat cultivation across India, particularly in peninsular and central regions.
As part of a larger effort, Prime Minister Modi also dedicated 109 other climate-resilient varieties of 69 crops to the nation, including rice and maize, which are crucial for managing water-related stresses and ensuring the sustainability of staple food production in India.
Addressing Climatic Challenges
India’s agricultural landscape faces numerous climatic challenges, from flooding and salinity in the eastern regions to water scarcity in other parts of the country. The introduction of Pusa Gehun Gaurav is part of a broader initiative to equip Indian farmers with crop varieties that can withstand these environmental stresses.
Key Features of Pusa Gehun Gaurav (HI 8840):
High Yield and Efficiency:
Average Grain Yield: 30.2 q/ha under limited irrigation conditions.
Potential Grain Yield: Up to 39.9 q/ha with increased water availability.
This variety boasts a yield advantage of 2.4% to 13.1% over existing check varieties, making it an excellent choice for areas with limited water availability.
Climate Resilience:
Heat and Drought Tolerance: With a low heat sensitivity index of 0.94 and a drought sensitivity index of 0.91, Pusa Gehun Gaurav is well-suited for regions facing high temperatures and water scarcity during the grain ripening stage.
Disease Resistance: The variety is resistant to black and brown rust, two of the most significant wheat diseases in central and peninsular India.
Biofortification:
Nutrient-Rich: Pusa Gehun Gaurav is a biofortified wheat variety with higher levels of essential nutrients, including grain zinc (41.1 ppm) and grain iron (38.5 ppm), as well as a protein content of approximately 12%.
Dual-Purpose Use:
Versatile Application: This durum wheat variety is ideal for both pasta production and traditional chapati making, with a high grain hardness index (95) and excellent yellow pigment content (~8.1 ppm). It also offers superior chapati quality, with a SDS value of 40.5 ml.
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