Hafed to market 'desi' wheat in Delhi and NCR

New Delhi, June 7 (UNI) In a bid to encash the craze for 'desi' wheat (C-306) amongst the health conscious consumers, Hafed has for the first time entered into contract farming of desi wheat for sale in the NCR.

The nodal agency will market this wheat under the Hafed brand name. The 'desi' wheat will be made available through Hafed's retail outlets in New Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Panchkula and Taraori in Haryana.

Hafed Managing Director Sudhir Rajpal said that since Delhi and its satellite cities have a huge market for 'desi' wheat because of its high nutritional content and better taste, ''we have decided to market this at our select outlets there.'' He said that as against a market price of about Rs 2,000 a quintal, the 'desi' wheat will be available in the market at a moderate price of Rs 1,750 per quintal.

The wheat will be available in 25 Kg packing and will be sold as ready for flouring by the customers.

Mr Rajpal said that as per the contract with the farmers, Hafed has agreed to pay them Rs 300 per quintal over and above the MSP of wheat or 10 per cent more than the specified average modal rate whichever is the highest.

''By considering the average modal rate of Rs 1,250 per quintal, we decided to pay the farmers Rs 1,320 per quintal,'' he added.

Mr Rajpal said that Hafed had last year invited farmers of Gurgaon, Mewat, Jhajjar, Rewari and Narnaul districts for contract farming of 'desi' wheat.

He said that since these districts are traditionally 'desi' wheat growing areas, Hafed was able to rope in 136 farmers and 'desi' wheat cultivation was carried on 621 acre land.

In certain areas like Jhajjar, districts wooed farmers for contract farming by offering them weather insurance, where 50 per cent of premium was paid by Hafed.

He said that the farmers, who entered into contract farming with Hafed, were provided with certified seeds from Haryana Seed Development Corporation, so as to ensure a good yield.

C-Desi Wheat and the chapattis made there from would outscore other varieties of wheat in various quality parametres like appearance, colour, water absorption, dough colour, stickiness, aroma, pliability, taste, puffing, height etc.

Other consumer products of Hafed available in the market are Kachchi Ghani Mustard Oil Agmark Grade-1, Basmati and Non Basmati Rice, Refined Soyabean Oil and Refined Cottonseed Oil.

UNI