5th International Wheat Genetics Symposium, New Delhi

Wheat, one of the world’s major food crops, has been cultivated in the Indian subcontinent for centuries. Evidence of its antiquity is found in carbonized grains discovered during excavations of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. Further excavations in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh provide additional proof of wheat’s importance in ancient India, with extensive references found in Vedic literature.

Today, India cultivates three species of wheat: common bread-wheat (Triticum aestirum), macaroni wheat (Triticum durum), and emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccum). Among these, bread-wheat is the most widely grown by Indian farmers. The Wheat Revolution in India began with the breeding of high-yielding varieties, leading to a significant increase in production over a short period.

The progress in wheat research and production in India is remarkable. Within five years, wheat production doubled from 12.5 million tonnes in 1965 to 28.3 million tonnes in 1976, a phenomenal increase unmatched by many other countries. India has developed the necessary infrastructure, scientific expertise, and capacity to further boost wheat production in the years to come.

To celebrate India’s achievements in wheat research and production, the International Organizing Committee is hosting the Fifth International Wheat Genetics Symposium in India. This symposium, previously held in Canada, Sweden, Australia, and the USA, marks the first time it is being hosted in an Asian country.

In honor of this significant event, the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is pleased to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Wheat Research, highlighting India’s contributions to wheat cultivation and research on the global stage.