GKU CONDUCTS RESEARCH ON PRODUCTION OF QUINOA-A NUTRITION PACKED FOOD

Talwandi Sabo, May 16, 2017: The Guru Kashi University (GKU) has recently introduced and started research on quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), an annual crop grown for seeds. It started standardizing production technology of two varieties (erect type and spreading type) on its research farms. The Rabi season crop can be grown in end October and harvested in May.
The Dean of GKU college of Agriculture, Dr Ajmer Singh Sidhu while giving details about this crop said that quinoa is a rich source of nutrients and thus offers many health benefits. Cooked quinoa consists of water (71.6%), carbohydrates (21.3%), protein (4.4%) and fat (1.92%). One cup of cooked quinoa (185 g) contains 222 calories. Dr Daljeet Singh, Head, Department of Vegetable Crops shared that the seeds of quinoa contains a rich source of amino acids and minerals (magnesium, beta-carotene, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin-E) besides various antioxidants and fiber content. The FAO has declared quinoa as the highly nutritious crop in the world, said Dr Singh. It can have huge export potential.
The produce can be used in a variety of recipes for breakfast food. Since this is free from gluten, it can be beneficial for patients prone to gluten allergy, said Dr Singh adding that GKU has standardized its production technology that has also been tried at the GKU research farms as well as at the farmers’ fields. He added that some farmers in the south western Punjab, Pathrala and Nawan Pind are growing quinoa successfully obtaining a yield of 8 q/acre.
The crop can be grown successfully on poor soils under conditions of minimum irrigation and input use. Hopeful about the likely success of the crop in Punjab, Dr Singh shared that seeds have also been supplied to IIFT, Bathinda for developing recipes of quinoa.
The GKU Chairman, S. Gurlabh Singh Sidhu congratulated the scientists for introduction of the crop and for research on its production technology. He said that the quinoa crop is a potential crop for poor farmers as it requires meager input use and that on account of its nutrition rich grains and health benefits, the crop can have a creditable role in nutritional security of people.
The Managing Director, S. Sukhraj Singh Sidhu said that in developing technology for production of this new crop, GKU has taken a lead. He appreciated the efforts of the scientists.
The GKU Vice Chancellor, Col Dr BS Dhaliwal and the Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr Jagpal Singh said that the good yield potential of the crop despite its being grown on poor soils using less water and other inputs will make it a nutrition rich crop for poor farmers.
The GKU Registrar, Dr Jagtar Singh Dhiman, congratulated the scientists of College of Agriculture, GKU for this innovative initiative and stated that it will help in the diversification of agriculture and useful utilization of poor waste lands for raising quinoa crop.