Kuttu Farming: Very useful crop for hilly areas

Kuttu Farming or Cultivation of buckwheat proves to be very beneficial in hilly areas with an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level. Because Buckwheat is a multipurpose crop. Where expensive flour is made from its seeds, its stem is used to make vegetables, and glucosides are used to make medicines by extracting the juice of flowers and leaves. The quality of honey made from Kuttu flowers is also considered very good. Its seeds are used in the production of noodles, soups, tea, gluten-free beer, etc. It is also very useful as green manure.

Buckwheat’s original place of origin is considered to be northern China and Siberia. But in Russia it is cultivated on a large scale. The wild species of buckwheat is also found in Greece. Compared to paddy, wheat and other coarse grains, the amount of nutrients in buckwheat is significantly higher. But the production of buckwheat is not high in the country. That’s why its flour is sold two to three times more expensive than wheat flour. That is why there is a lot of earning potential for the farmers in Buckwheat farming.

List and quantity of major nutrients in Buckwheat 

Kuttu Farming : Buckwheat Recipes 

Buckwheat flour is mainly used in fasting. Dishes like delicious puris and fruit pakoras are made from buckwheat flour during fasting. Apart from this, by mixing it with wheat, biscuits, naan khatai, vermicelli and when mixed with rice papad, phulbadi etc are made. Kasha bread is healthy. It tastes like cake. It is made by mixing kasha or roasted tou with buttermilk, cream and nuts. Kasha bread is also a delicious option. Pancakes are a delicious breakfast, which can be easily prepared in less time. This recipe is made with buckwheat flour. Crisp dosas are also made from buckwheat flour and colocasia.

How to do advanced kuttu farming? 

For Kuttu farming, that land is considered best which dries up late in the rabi season or where cultivation is to be done after a long period of time. Buckwheat is cultivated only in isolated areas in the country. That is why the data of the total area under its cultivation is not available. But the hill population has a tradition of cultivating buckwheat, that is why buckwheat is the main crop of Tibetan refugees settled in Surguja division of Chhattisgarh. There, buckwheat is cultivated in about 10 hectares in Mainpat area. 

The best sowing time for Buckwheat cultivation is between 15th September to 15th October in Rabi season. If it is a matter of suitable soil for the cultivation of Buckwheat, then according to the experts of Raj Mohini Devi Agricultural College and Research Center, Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, it can be grown in all types of soil. But its yield is not good in more saline and sodic land, that is why it is said to be unsuitable.

If the pH value of the soil is 6.5 to 7.5 then it is considered better for the cultivation of buckwheat. The field is prepared by plowing with a cultivator. The amount of seed depends on the variety of buckwheat. While 75-80 kg per hectare seed will be required for Scolentum, 40-50 kg per hectare will be sufficient for Tataricum species. Buckwheat seeds are sown by sprinkling method and after sowing, the seeds are covered by ploughing. At the time of sowing row to row distance of 30 cm and plant to plant distance of 10 cm is kept.

Maintenance of kuttu farming: Application of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash in the ratio of 40:20:20 kg per hectare in Buckwheat crop gives good yield. Full dose of Phosphorous and Potash and half of Nitrogen should be applied at the time of sowing. The rest of the nitrogen should be applied at the time when the spikelets start emerging from the buckwheat plants.

After sowing, if there is facility of irrigation, light irrigation should be done 5-6 times. In terms of weed control, spraying of 3.3 litres of pendimethylen in 800-1000 litres of water for narrow leaves should be done after 30-35 days of sowing. No outbreak of pests and diseases has been observed in Buckwheat crop. That is why farmers do not have to bear the burden of pesticides in its cultivation. 

Harvesting and yield: Buckwheat does not ripen at the same time. That’s why it is harvested at 70-80 percent maturity. Another reason for this is that the problem of seed drop is more in Buckwheat crop. After harvesting the crop should be threshed after drying it in bundles. The average yield of Kuttu is 11-13 quintals per hectare.

Also Read: Why Osmanabadi Goat is considered better for meat production?

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