The high-yielding wheat varieties DBW 222 and DBW 187 produce 60 quintals per hectare, compared to 35-37 quintals for existing varieties. Around 23,000 quintal seeds of these two varieties have been distributed to farmers at a 50% subsidy, according to Rajiv Minhas, a subject matter specialist at the Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Department.
DBW222 (Karan Narendra) has high rust resistance and lodging tolerance, as well as better agronomic characteristics and adaptation to sowing time. In contrast, DBW 187 (Karan Vandana) is rich in protein and iron.
According to director of agriculture B R Takhi, the new varieties were sown on time (October 15 to November 15) in the lower hills of Kangra, Una, Hamirpur, Solan, Bilaspur, and Sirmaur districts because rains provided needed moisture in the soil and paved the way for timely sowing of wheat even in rainfed areas.
Wheat is grown on 3.30 lakh hectares in the state, with a production target of 6.17 lakh MT (metric tonne), and total foodgrains production is estimated to be 1649.97 thousand MT in 2022-23.
During the current fiscal year 2022-23, a target of 687.41 thousand tonnes for Rabi and 962.56 thousand MT for Kharif has been set. The main foodgrains are wheat, paddy, maize, barley, and oil seeds.
Aside from foodgrains, the state's main commercial crops are potato, vegetables, and ginger, with an area of 82,000 hectares proposed for vegetables, 15.10 thousand hectares for potato, and three thousand hectares for ginger (green).
Farmers diversify into commercial crops for higher returns and cultivate high-yielding and exotic vegetable varieties. According to agriculture officials, Himachal Pradesh, known as the apple bowl, is also emerging as a vegetable hub.
For the year 2022-23, the production target for vegetables, potato, and ginger (green) is 1759 thousand MT, 195 thousand MT, and 34.00 thousand, respectively. The production of vegetables in the state is rapidly increasing, and it has already surpassed the production of foodgrains.
