Wheat is the second most important crop of our country after paddy. It is grown over 1 / 3rd area of arable land of India. Wheat is the staple diet of north and west India. It is now cultivated with mechanized methods. Hence, it can now be produced with less labour. After the Green Revolution, the wheat production has almost doubled.

Favorable conditions: Wheat is a rabi crop of temperate zone. It requires black or fertile loamy soil and more than 75 cm of annual rainfall. If proper irrigation is available, then wheat can also grow in the regions having lesser rainfall. Wheat cannot be grown in the area receiving more than 100 cm rainfall.

Producing States: Wheat cultivation is carried out mostly in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh. These states produce about 2/3rd of the total national production. There are very good irrigation facilities in these states and hence the per hectare production of these states is quite good. Punjab is a land of five rivers.

So, there is a very strong canal water network and hence wheat is produced in abundance. Hence, Punjab is known as the ‘Wheat Bowl’ of India. Wheat is also produced in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, etc. In Bhal region of Gujarat a variety called ‘Bhaliya wheat’ is produced. It is also produced in Mehsana, Rajkot, Junagadh, Kheda, etc.

Uses of Wlieat: It is the most nutritious of all grains. Hence, it is considered the best among all foodgrains used in our daily meal. Many items like roti, bhakhri, sev, shiro, lapsi, ladu, sukhadi, bread, puri, cake, biscuits etc. are prepared from wheat. Owing to all these reasons wheat is called the ‘King of Grains’.