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A Farmer's Guide to Wheat Farming in India (गेहूं की खेती): Your Step-by-Step Plan for the Rabi 2025-26 Season

A Farmer's Guide to Wheat Farming in India (गेहूं की खेती): Your Step-by-Step Plan for the Rabi 2025-26 Season

Posted on: June 30, 2025

As the monsoon season (Kharif) progresses across India, for our forward-thinking farmers, the time is ripe to begin planning for the next major crop cycle: the Rabi season. The king of all Rabi crops is undoubtedly Wheat (गेहूं), the staple food that feeds millions across the nation.

Here in Hajipur, Bihar, and across the vast Indo-Gangetic plains, a successful wheat harvest depends on careful planning, timely actions, and precise knowledge. While sowing is still a few months away, this guide, created on June 30, 2025, is your complete timeline and step-by-step plan to prepare for a bountiful wheat harvest in 2026.

This guide is for every farmer, agriculture student, and enthusiast who wants to understand the process of Gehu ki Kheti from start to finish.

Phase 1: Pre-Sowing Preparations (July - October 2025)

Success begins long before the first seed is sown. Use the current monsoon months wisely.

1. Climate and Soil Requirements

Wheat thrives in a cool and dry climate. The ideal temperature for growth is between 15°C and 25°C. Well-drained loamy or clayey soil, rich in organic matter, is perfect. The alluvial soils of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana are ideal for wheat cultivation.

2. Field Preparation (खेत की तैयारी)

  • First Ploughing: As soon as you harvest your Kharif crop (like paddy or maize), give the field a deep ploughing. This helps expose pests to the sun and improves soil aeration.

  • Harrowing and Levelling: Follow up with 2-3 rounds of harrowing to break down clumps and create a fine tilth. Proper levelling of the field is crucial for uniform water distribution and germination. A laser leveller, if available, is highly recommended.

3. Soil Testing (मिट्टी की जांच)

This is a critical step. Get your soil tested at a local Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK). This will tell you about the nutrient deficiencies (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium - NPK) and the pH level of your soil, allowing you to use fertilizers more effectively.

4. Manure and Fertilizers (खाद और उर्वरक)

Based on your soil test report, apply the basal dose of fertilizers.

  • Organic Matter: Apply 10-15 tonnes of well-decomposed Farm Yard Manure (FYM) or compost per hectare at least 20-25 days before sowing.

  • Chemical Fertilizers (Basal Dose): A general recommendation is 40 kg Nitrogen, 60 kg Phosphorus, and 40 kg Potash per hectare to be applied at the time of sowing. The remaining Nitrogen is applied in later stages.

Phase 2: Seed Selection and Sowing (October - November 2025)

This is the most critical phase where your planning pays off.

1. Choosing the Right Variety (सही किस्म का चुनाव)

Selecting a high-yielding, disease-resistant variety suitable for your region is key. Popular varieties for the North-Eastern plains, including Bihar, are:

  • Irrigated, Timely Sown: HD-2967, PBW-550, HD-3086, WH-1105

  • Irrigated, Late Sown: HD-3118, PBW-373

  • Rainfed Conditions: C-306, WH-542

2. Seed Treatment (बीज उपचार)

Protect your crop from seed-borne diseases like loose smut and termite attacks. Treat the seeds with a fungicide like Carbendazim or Thiram at a rate of 2.5 grams per kg of seed before sowing.

3. Sowing Time and Method

  • Ideal Sowing Window: The best time for sowing wheat in this region is the first fortnight of November (1-15 November). Delaying beyond this can cause a significant reduction in yield.

  • Sowing Method: While broadcasting is traditional, using a Seed Drill is highly recommended. It ensures uniform seed depth, proper spacing (20-22 cm between rows), and efficient use of seeds and fertilizer.

  • Seed Rate: A seed rate of 100-120 kg per hectare is optimal.

Phase 3: Crop Management (December 2025 - March 2026)

1. Irrigation (सिंचाई)

Wheat requires about 4-6 irrigations depending on soil type and winter rainfall. The timing of irrigation is crucial. The critical stages for watering are:

  1. Crown Root Initiation (CRI): 20-25 days after sowing. This is the most critical stage.

  2. Tillering Stage: 40-45 days after sowing.

  3. Late Jointing Stage: 70-75 days after sowing.

  4. Flowering Stage: 90-95 days after sowing.

  5. Dough/Milking Stage: 110-115 days after sowing.

2. Top Dressing of Nitrogen

Apply the remaining Nitrogen fertilizer in two split doses. The first half after the first irrigation (CRI stage) and the second half before the third irrigation (Late Jointing stage).

3. Weed Management (खरपतवार नियंत्रण)

Weeds compete with the main crop for nutrients, water, and sunlight, reducing yield.

  • Manual Weeding: Can be done 25-30 days after sowing.

  • Chemical Control: For broad-leaved weeds, herbicides like 2,4-D can be sprayed 30-35 days after sowing. For grassy weeds like Phalaris minor (Gulli Danda), Pinoxaden or Sulfosulfuron are effective.

Phase 4: Harvesting and Storage (Late March - April 2026)

1. Harvesting (फसल की कटाई)

The crop is ready for harvest when the leaves turn yellow and the grains become hard and contain less than 15% moisture. This usually occurs from the end of March to mid-April. Harvesting can be done manually with sickles or mechanically using a combine harvester.

2. Threshing and Storage (भंडारण)

After harvesting, the crop is threshed to separate the grains. Before storage, it is essential to dry the grains properly in the sun to bring the moisture content down to 10-12%. Store the grains in clean, dry, and airtight gunny bags or bins to protect them from pests and rodents.


Conclusion

Successful wheat farming is a science that requires diligent planning and timely execution. By following these steps systematically, farmers in Bihar and across India can overcome challenges and look forward to a profitable and bountiful harvest in the 2025-26 Rabi season.

What are your go-to techniques for wheat farming? Do you have any questions? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

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