The Indonesian Centre for Food Crops Research and Development has sought the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) – Dharwad assistance to enhance yield of DWR-162 wheat variety and also to make growing of wheat a profitable venture for the Indonesian farmers.

Indonesia in 2001 had approached India for a suitable variety of wheat for introduction in the country in order to cut down import of wheat. The Directorate, Wheat Research, Karnal offered DWR-162 variety developed by the University of Agricultural Sciences – Dharwad to Indonesia.

After introduction of DWR-162 wheat variety in Indonesia, it has become popular and has been renamed ‘Dewata'.

“From nil area under wheat in 2001, now the area has grown to 150 hectares in 2010.

As for yield is concerned, it is three tonnes a hectare. Only on yield improvement, adoption and propagation of the wheat crop is easy,” Dr Hasil Sembiring, Director, Indonesian Centre for Food Crops Research and Development, told Business Line .

The Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development and the Indonesian Centre for Food Crops Research and Development are spending one billion rupiah for introduction and propagation of wheat in Indonesia.

Wheat at present is competing with vegetables, maize and rice. Yields of maize is averaging six tonnes a hectare, rice in good irrigated condition is seven tonnes a hectare. But in normal condition it is 4.5-5 tonnes a hectare.

“Keeping yield in mind, we are now looking for assistance from India (University of Agricultural Sciences – Dharwad) to improve upon the yield and to make growing of wheat a profitable for farmers,” he said.

Mr Jusuf Sutanto professor at Universitas Pancasila and consultant for Bogasari Flour Mills, Jakarta, said “At present, 450 tonnes of wheat grown in Indonesia is consumed locally. Local small scale food industries and bakeries make noodles, bread, cakes and biscuits.”

“We are also making efforts to sell wheat variety to vast Indian population residing in Indonesia. Have also found out that stone milled wheat is popular among the Indian community,” he added.

Dr R.R. Hanchinal, Vice-Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences – Dharwad, said “We are aware of their requirements. First, we need to build resource management practices, conduct local trials based on the geographical climatic needs.”

“Also through preliminary findings, we have also observed that wheat is a good rotation crop along with maize or vegetables,” he added.

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