Durum (pasta) wheat versus regular bread wheat for market premium, relevant in MP and Rajasthan.
Should I grow durum wheat or normal wheat for better price?
DDevilal Patidar9mo ago · 287 views
5 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓9mo ago
Durum wheat (the hard, amber pasta wheat) can fetch a price premium over normal bread wheat when you have a buyer or processor who pays for quality, and it is well suited to central India in states like MP, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Good durum varieties include HI 8759 (Pusa Tejas), HI 8737 (Pusa Anmol) and MPO 1215. Durum needs assured irrigation and good management to express its quality and yield. However, the premium only helps if there is a market or contract nearby, since the general MSP system mainly covers common wheat. Grow durum if you have a confirmed buyer paying extra; otherwise high-yielding bread wheat sold at MSP may give a more certain return. Check local mandi demand before deciding.
BBherulal8mo ago
I grow Pusa Tejas durum because a local flour mill pays a premium for it. Without that buyer I would just grow regular high-yield wheat.
GGovind Patidar8mo ago
A word of caution: durum is not always covered the same way as common wheat at the procurement centre, so do not assume you can fall back on MSP if your buyer backs out. Get the deal clear before sowing.
SShyam Sundar7mo ago
Durum needs good water and management to show its quality. On my black soil with assured irrigation it did well, but a friend on a water-short plot got poor grain and no premium. Match it to your conditions.
RRamprasad7mo ago
Try a small area first before committing your whole farm. I kept one plot in Pusa Tejas durum and the rest in high-yield bread wheat. Once I was sure of the mill demand and price, I expanded the durum area.