Production technology and multifarious uses of buckwheat (Fagopyrum spp.): A review

Among the pseudo-cereals grown in India, buckwheat (Fagopyrum spp.) is very important. Fagopyrum esculentum Moench, which is known as common buckwheat, is the most cultivated species in the hilly region of India out of the 20 species of buckwheat. Besides this, Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn (Tartary buckwheat) also have limited area under cultivation. At remote locations of mountains ecosystems, buckwheat is a livelihood driven crop for small and marginal farmers. Common buckwheat is a short duration, multipurpose and nutritious crop, which can withstand changing climatic conditions and fit well in multiple cropping systems. Owing to relatively low input requirement and less infestation of insect-pests and diseases, it is the most suitable for organic production system of hilly regions of higher elevation. Buckwheat grains are primarily used for human consumption and also for livestock, poultry and piggery feeds. Rural population of hilly region of India use buckwheat sprouts and as pan cakes especially in breakfast, however, the recommended intake of buckwheat sprouts are less than 40 g/day. Furthermore, buckwheat is also grown as a cover crop, green manure crop, fodder crop, fertility restoring crop, honey crop and medicinal plant. The crop is also a good source of rutin (quercetin-3-rutinosid) and fagopyrin that are known to be used in preventing various human disorders. Tartary buckwheat contains 100-fold more rutin as compared to common buckwheat. Owing to improvement in productivity and profitability of others crops, area and production of buckwheat is declining. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop appropriate policy and scientific interventions for exploitation of this climate resilient super food crop for livelihood security of ever increasing popu-lation especially in the hill regions.