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What Producers & Suppliers Must Consider For Determining The Wheat Quality

India is the world’s second-largest producer of wheat.  In 2019, there was 103.6 MT of wheat production in 2019.  Moreover, wheat is one of the staple foods in India which is the main source of calories and proteins.

In India, three main varieties of wheat are grown including:

Triticum aestivum

T. durum

T. dicoccum

India is also a major exporter of wheat. And that is why, wheat quality matters a lot and when it comes to production, the Indian agriculture sector produces wheat meeting the best standards.

Let us understand some important characteristics of wheat required for measuring the wheat quality. Different types of wheat carry in structure. But, the quality of grains will matter to prove if they can prove useful in the role grain value chain, which starts from the producer and goes to the consumer. Moreover, the wheat quality characteristics depend on the type of grain used.  For example, what with higher protein content and more fibre is important for bread flour production. On the other hand, wheat with starch content is important for ethanol production after fermentation.

It is the buyer of the grain that decides what grade of wheat they need based on the manufacturing process and the product they want to manufacture.

The wheat quality evaluation is therefore an important part of the value chain of producing the right product. These parameters determine the choice of wheat grade, the storage conditions and the supply method for the end consumer.

Read further to learn about the parameters used for determining wheat quality. Wheat produced should be fit for the consumption of humans and animals. Grains must be whole, ripe, clean and free from organic matter. 

What factors affect grain quality

Grain quality is affected by several factors including:

Cultivation practices

Time of harvest

Harvesting practices

Handling

Storage

Transport practices. 

Additionally, certain other factors also determine wheat quality, such as type of grain, genetics, cultivation practice and handling and storage of the grain.

One has to check the three  types of characteristics to determine the wheat quality

Botanical: Species, variety or cultivar.

Physical: Shape, moisture content, foreign matter, wholeness vigour etc.

Chemical: Protein and oil content, fibre, starch and amylase content and more.

Now, let us list down the characteristics that determine the wheat quality including:

Moisture content: The maximum moisture content at which wheat may be stored is 13%, for canola it is 8% and for maize 14%.

Foreign matter: Foreign matter that may be present in wheat include sand, stones,  metals, plastic particles and glass. For grades 1 to 3, the maximum foreign matter in wheat should be limited to 1%. For utilitarian grade, foreign matter can reach up to 3%.

Damaged grains: The damaged grains can be visually detected and they reduce the quality and value of wheat. Grain may be damaged due to insects, frost, poor grain fill, budding and more. 

Hectolitre mass: Hectolitre mass comprises the volumetric weight.

Mycotoxins: This can be due to field fungus or storage fungi.

Presence of insects and fungi: There should be no presence of live insects that can damage the wheat for it to be an acceptable grade.

Vigour, milling quality and protein and oil content  are the other important characteristics determining the wheat quality. Also, there is a need to check the Percentage of coloured, broken and damaged grains.

Procuring the right grade with the best wheat quality is imperative in the grain value chain. Producers need to deliver grain considering the specifications for its end use by the consumers. The wheat quality and specifications will also determine the remuneration for the supplier.