by Chen Jiaqi

XI'AN, Nov. 5 (China Economic Net) - Pakistan's Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MONFSR) estimated that wheat consumption, including seeds, will reach nearly 28 million tons in the current fiscal year. By 2025, the wheat consumption for the country's 240 million people is expected to exceed 30 million tons, Pakistani media reported.

According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Pakistan imported $92.29 million of wheat in September, up 867% from $9.54 million in August. How to improve the yield and quality of wheat, one of Pakistan's most important crops? How does the wheat processing industry develop? How to increase the added value of wheat products? With these questions, the reporter of China Economic Net (CEN) came to the 27th China Yangling Agricultural Hi-Tech Fair.

Wheat cultivation twice a year increases total output

"In China, wheat can be grown twice a year. Some wheat varieties can be grown in winter and spring. It is planted in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in April and May and harvested in July and August. Then it is planted in the major wheat production areas of the Yellow River and Huaihe River again in September and October and harvested in May and June the next year. Two planting seasons will accelerate breeding and promotion," said He Yizhe, associate professor of Department of Seed Science at Northwest A&F University, China in an interview with the CEN. In Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, bordering Pakistan, both winter wheat and spring wheat can be planted.

He Yizhe, Associate Professor, Department of Seed Science at Northwest A&F University, China receives an interview with the CEN. [Photo/Li Fan]

High-yield and nutritious colored wheat varieties are more suitable for promotion in Southeast Asian countries such as Pakistan. Though rice is the main food in most Southeast Asian countries, the iron, zinc and other micro-nutrients in rice are relatively low. Therefore, the promotion of colored wheat and its products that are rich in micro-nutrients in Southeast Asian countries is more beneficial to maintaining the body's nutritional balance. "First of all, we must take enough. At the same time, we must get nutrition and be healthy," he added.

Different colored wheat varieties suitable for different groups of people

"We have been doing this for 27 years. At present, we have wheat in colors of black, purple, red, blue, green, super white, etc. They are rich in nutrients such as anthocyanins, and micro-nutrients such as iron, zinc, manganese, copper, selenium, iodine, and chromium. These colored wheat breeds are high in vitamins, unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber and other nutrients than ordinary wheat, which can improve the body's immunity and resistance to various diseases, and play a role in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. They have nothing to do with gene modification. They are natural products," he said.

Colored wheat varieties developed by colored wheat breeding group, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, China are displayed at 27th China Yangling Agricultural Hi-Tech Fair. [Photo/Li Fan]

So, what are the specific traits of wheat with different colors and which groups of people are they suitable for? For these, He explained, "Generally, the content of iron and zinc in purple red wheat is high, which is suitable for anaemics and children. Blue-green wheat, rich in selenium and chromium, can be made into special food for diabetic patients. Super white wheat has good taste and high yield. Farmers like this variety very much. It has been planted over 100,000 mu in Yangling, China, and the response is very good."

Colored wheat and its products developed by Northwest A&F University, China are displayed at 27th China Yangling Agricultural Hi-Tech Fair. [Photo/Li Fan]

In terms of yield, there is almost no difference between colored and ordinary wheat. Ordinary wheat yields can reach up to 500 kg per mu, and colored wheat yields can also reach 400 - 450 kg per mu. In terms of cost, there is no increase in investment at the current stage, and the cost may be further reduced without applying chemical fertilizer and pesticide. "As long as you can grow ordinary wheat, you can grow colored wheat," he added.

Processed products can increase added value five-fold, more suitable for beverages

As for how to increase the added value of wheat products, He said the added value of colored wheat products is at least 5 times higher than that of ordinary wheat products. "The price of common flour is RMB 4 per kg for now, while colored wheat flour sells at RMB 20-60 per kg online. If you are good at operation, the price may be higher. The development of nutritious agricultural products such as colored wheat and health-leading agriculture will be the trend and direction in the future."

Colored wheat and its products developed by Northwest A&F University, China are displayed at 27th China Yangling Agricultural Hi-Tech Fair. [Photo/Li Fan]

According to He, colored wheat can be made into flour, nutrition powder, whole wheat flour, as well as biscuits, bread, crust, wheat seedling juice, etc. "Wheat seedlings are collected once a month and squeezed into wheat seedlings juice. They can also be made into wheat seedling powder after superfine grinding. Besides, chlorophyll content extracted from colored wheat can be made into high-end nutrition products.

Crop cultivation suitable in Pakistan due to low planting cost, higher added value of products

Regarding whether colored wheat is suitable for growing in Pakistan, He said, "the grain yield per hectare in countries along the "Belt and Road" is not high, yet they have vast expanses of growing area, and the planting cost is lower than that in China. After being processed into nutritious food, the added value is higher. The product can be sold back to China or promoted to other developed countries in the world".

Liu Dian, Science and Technology Promotion Office, Northwest A&F University, China receives an interview with the CEN. [Photo/Li Fan]

"The people in Pakistan like high-stem wheat, but the yield is not much as the straw grows too much. Strengthen cooperation and there will be no problem for Chinese wheat varieties to be introduced to Pakistan in the future ", said Liu Dian, a science and technology promotion staff at Northwest A&F University, China in an interview with the CEN. Currently, more than 70 varieties of Chinese seeds have been promoted in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and other countries, including wheat, corn, coarse cereals and apple, "the output of our varieties has doubled compared with the local ones," he added.

Support Chinese companies to set up JVs in Pakistan to increase wheat production

Ma Shuping, Vice President, China National Seed Association receives an interview with the CEN. [Photo/Li Fan]

Currently, many Chinese seed companies export rice and vegetable seeds to Pakistan, and guide local producers to increase crop yields. "In the future, we are willing to support interested companies to establish joint ventures in Pakistan. If Pakistan's policy permits, we can also establish wholly-owned companies to bring China's fine varieties there to help Pakistan increase its output of rice, wheat, and vegetables," said Ma Shuping, vice president at China National Seed Association in an interview with the CEN.

The article is translated by Fu Bo.