Why Farmers Prefer Growing Rice & Wheat

Farmers in India prefer rice and wheat due to assured procurement at MSP, yield stability, and irrigation access. Despite potential in other crops, lack of policy and R&D support discourages their cultivation.

Why Do Farmers Prefer Rice & Wheat?

• Farmers, being rational and risk-averse, opt for crops with price and yield certainty.
• Rice and wheat are the most preferred crops, especially in irrigated areas like Punjab, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh.
  • Punjab: Rice area rose from 29.8 to 32.4 lakh hectares (lh)
  • Telangana: From 10.5 to 47 lh
  • MP (2015-25): Wheat from 59.1 to 78.1 lh, rice from 20.2 to 38.7 lh

Role of MSP and Government Procurement

• The expansion is largely due to government-backed MSP purchases, ensuring near-guaranteed returns.
• No such procurement exists for non-MSP crops, which depend on market fluctuations.
  • E.g., Cotton in Punjab dropped from 3.4 to 1 lh
  • Chana (chickpea) in MP: 30.2 to 20.1 lh
  • Soyabean: From 59.1 to 57.8 lh, after a peak in 2020-21

Yield Risk and Research Support

• Besides MSP, yield stability attracts farmers to rice and wheat.
• Both crops:
  • Are irrigation-dependent
  • Receive significant public R&D support

Wheat Evolution

• Traditional wheat varieties yielded only 1–1.5 tonnes/hectare
• Green Revolution semi-dwarf varieties (e.g., Kalyan Sona, Sonalika) improved average yield to 3.8 t/ha, potential to 4.6 t/ha
• Recent release: HD-3385 (2023)
  • Average yield: 6 t/ha; Potential: 7.3 t/ha
  • Rust-resistant (yellow, black, brown)
  • Allows early and late sowing
  • Minimizes yield loss from March heat stress

Breakthroughs in Rice Breeding

• Historical Progress
  • Traditional tall varieties: 1–3 t/ha over 160–180 days
  • IR-8 (1966): 4.5–5 t/ha in 130 days
  • Samba Mahsuri (1986): Avg. 4.5 t/ha; Potential 6.5 t/ha
• New Genetically Edited (GE) Varieties

Neglect of Other Crops

• No major R&D breakthroughs for cotton, oilseeds, or pulses after early 2000s
• Bt cotton (2002–06) was the last major success; no new GM approvals since
• Result: Stagnant or modest yield gains in pulses, oilseeds, etc.
• In contrast, rice hybrids now yield 10 t/ha in just 120–125 days
• Direct seeding technology in rice saves water and labour

Conclusion

Backed by policy, procurement, and research, rice and wheat dominate Indian agriculture. Without similar support for other crops, diversification will remain elusive and cropping patterns unbalanced.