Project report for Wheat Cultivation

Wheat crop is India’s prime most staple harvest, placed second only to rice. It is mostly consumed in the north and north-west parts of the country. Being rich in protein, vitamin and carbohydrates, it provides a balanced food to millions of people each day. In India, wheat crop is grown mainly in the northern states, with Uttar Pradesh being the top-most contributor of wheat with a total production of 25.22 million tonnes, followed by Punjab (15.78 MT) and Madhya Pradesh (14.18 MT). Over the long term, the increased consumption of wheat across the countries in various cuisines and by the processing industries for the production of products like flour, pasta, noodles, and beverages and the rising food demand are expected to drive the wheat market over the study period. However, some factors such as increased awareness of gluten allergies or sensitivity and weather uncertainties recorded in several parts of the world are expected to restrain the market growth during the forecast period. Wheat is a major staple crop in the Asian countries, after rice. It is consumed as flour for the preparation of bread, flatbread, and also for the preparation of noodles, pasta, etc. Wheat consumption is expected to grow significantly in these countries with the rising population and increasing food demand. Wheat is widely cultivated for its seed and cereal grain, which is a staple food worldwide.

The global wheat flour market reached a value of INR 11,896.34 Crores in 2020. Wheat flour is used extensively owing to the presence of gluten, a protein that provides strength and elasticity to the dough as well as adds to the texture of baked products. Factors such as population growth, increasing disposable incomes, rising consumption of bakery products and changing lifestyles have further added to the demand for wheat flour. Wheat flour is used as the main ingredient in several bakery and fast food products such as bread, noodles, pasta and breakfast cereals. Growth in the demand for these products has led to an escalation in the overall sales of wheat flour across the globe. The growing expenditure on pet food products along with pet humanization in economy such as India is expected to drive the market growth in the pet food segment. Changing consumer preferences driven by awareness toward meat sourcing practices, its ecological impact, and animal-borne diseases have led to more consumers opting out of meat consumption. The resulting change has led to consumer demand shifting from conventional animal-based proteins to plant-based alternatives.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the wheat protein market. Given the growing consumer awareness of the impact of the pandemic on meat production, consumers began adopting plant-based alternatives instead. This resulted in a sales surge of over 500% for meat alternative brands. The pandemic has also influenced the sales of plant-based snacks, dairy alternatives, and supplements, as consumers move towards a healthier lifestyle.