The development of wheat (Triticum spp.) comes too far once again into history. Wheat was one of the principal trained nourishment crops and for 8 000 years has been the fundamental staple sustenance of the significant developments of Europe, West Asia and North Africa. Today, wheat is grown on more land zone than some other business crop and keeps on being the most vital sustenance grain hotspot for people. Its generation drives all products, including rice, maize and potatoes. The ideal growth temperature is around 25°C, with least and most extreme development temperatures of 3° to 4°C and 30° to 32°C, individually (Al-Bourini, Al-Abdullah & Abou-Moghli 2013; p.95) Wheat is adapted to an expansive scope of dampness conditions from xerophytic to littoral. Albeit around three-fourths of the land region where wheat is developed gets a normal of in the vicinity of 375 and 875 mm of yearly precipitation, it can be grown in many areas where precipitation ranges from 250 to 1 750 mm (Khanam, Siddique & Talib 2013; p.2434). Ideal production requires a satisfactory wellspring of dampness accessibility amid the developing season; be that as it may, an excessive amount of precipitation can prompt yield misfortunes from sickness and root issues.
Cultivars of broadly contrasting family are developed under shifted states of soil and atmosphere and show wide attribute varieties. Despite the fact that wheat is being collected some place on the planet in any given month, reap in the calm regions happens in April and September in the Northern Half of the globe and amongst October and January in the Southern Side of the equator (Neale 2013; n.p.). Wheat is extraordinary in a few ways. Wheat is developed on in excess of 240 million ha, bigger than for some other harvest, and world exchange is more prominent than for every single other yield consolidated. The raised bread lounge is conceivable on the grounds that the wheat portion contains gluten, a versatile type of protein that traps minute rises of carbon dioxide when maturation happens in raised mixture, making the batter rise (Ahmad, et al. 2012; p188). It is the best of the grain sustenances and gives more support to people than some other nourishment source.
Wheat is a noteworthy eating regimen part as a result of the wheat plant’s agronomic versatility, simplicity of grain stockpiling and simplicity of changing over grain into flour for making eatable, tasteful, fascinating and fulfilling nourishments. World wheat generation expanded drastically amid the period 1951-1990, despite the fact that the extension of the region sown to wheat has since quite a while ago stopped to be a noteworthy wellspring of expanded wheat yield (Corridor & Goni 2011; p.831). Production achieved a record-breaking high of 592 million tons in 1990 and has been 500 million tons or above since 1986 when 529 million tons was delivered. Since 1990, creation has remained generally consistent. The share of wheat yield from high-pay nations has tumbled from around 45 percent in the mid -50s to around 35 percent as of late (Yang, Hong & Modi 2011; p.252). Approach changes toward crop reserve projects to save soils have taken significant generation region from wheat in high-wage nations. In the previous five years, developing nations have produced in excess of 45 percent of the world’s wheat. Figure 1.1 below indicates wheat yields across the globe between 1950 and 2014.
1.2 What is the issue/problem in the wheat production industry?
One key issue in the wheat production industry in Australia is climatic change. Agribusiness is constantly defenseless to regular catastrophes it is constantly needy upon climatic conditions and development of horticulture is commanded by nature (Dastagiri, Gajula & Ganeshagouda 2014; p.15). Because of political shakiness, agricultural crops are pulverized because of uncontrolled surges. Different horticultural yields like cotton, sugarcane, tobacco, wheat and rice regularly go under assault of irritations and creepy crawlies. Bugs and plant maladies diminish the yearly productivity of farming (Mittal & Mehar 2013; p.10). Environmental change undermines worldwide wheat production and sustenance security, incorporating the wheat business in Australia. Numerous investigations have analyzed the effects of changes in nearby atmosphere on wheat yield per hectare, yet there has been no evaluation of changes in arrive territory accessible for creation because of evolving atmosphere. It is additionally hazy how total wheat production would change under future atmosphere when self-governing adaptation choices are received (Craberry, et al. 2011; p.79).
Species appropriation models to explore future changes in territories climatically reasonable for developing wheat in Australia have, as of late, been applied. A crop demonstration was utilized to evaluate wheat yield per hectare in these regions. Results demonstrate that there is a general inclination for a lessening in the regions reasonable for producing wheat and a decrease in the yield of the upper east Australian wheat belt (Helfienstein, et al. 2016; p.e0160729). This outcomes in decreased national wheat production, albeit future environmental change, may profit South Australia and Victoria. These anticipated results construe that comparable wheat?growing locales of the globe may likewise encounter diminishes in wheat production. Some cropping adaptation measures increase wheat yield per hectare, giving critical relief of the negative impacts of environmental change on national wheat creation by 2041– 2060 (Aghili 2014; p.e101487). In any case, any beneficial outcomes will be deficient to keep a probable decrease underway under a high CO2 discharge situation by 2081– 2100 because of expanding misfortunes in reasonable wheat?growing territories. In this manner, extra adaptation techniques alongside interest in wheat production are expected to keep up Australian rural production and upgrade worldwide sustenance security.
On the other hand, a major issue in the wheat production industry in India is a techno-economic one. There is huge sub-division and fracture of land, thus current innovation cannot actualize in agrarian part. Water logging and saltiness are not dismissive dangers to horticulture, because of saltiness stores of salts and antagonistically influenced the execution of farming division. Water logging and saltiness crumbles right around 0.10 million sections of land of land each year. India’s agrarian production is, likewise, on the decrease (dePonti, Rijk & van Ittersum 2012; p.3). Developed nations are getting higher yield per hectare because of utilization of present day and inventive innovation and prepared work. Like every single other industry horticulture is likewise advancing with inventive innovation and current techniques. In any case, in India, ranchers are stick to old, customary and conventional techniques and old actualizes are as yet being utilized for agrarian creation. Old and conventional procedures of production cannot expand the creation as indicated by universal levels. Besides provincial foundation like, streets, storerooms, transport, power, training, well-being offices and sanitation is lacking to meet the prerequisite of development of farming (Guttieri, et al. 2015; p.1035).
It is hard to utilize current apparatus on little parcels of land. Supply of present-day inputs like high-yielding assortment seeds, manufactured composts, pesticides, herbicides, motorized apparatus are quite expensive and insufficient in India. Besides, lack of water system offices is a genuine impediment in extension of product territory (Andres & Bhullar 2016; p.4). The lower water supplies and loses from water course in fields are not kidding worries of ranch area. Land changes have been actualized against the will of individuals. There is a pressing need to direct a legitimate land change for enhancing agrarian development. Because of this issue agrarian production cannot increase to desired level. Cultivating is not directed at business level in India. In this specific country, there is low level of cropping intensity when contrasted with developed nations. Assets are not used in right way as cultivable zone under twofold or multiple cropping is lacking in India (Azadi & Ho 2010; p.162). Agriculturists are not following the general standards of product revolution; the consistent development of maybe a couple crops debilitates the ripeness status of soil. The normal harvest yield in India is low when contrasted with the creation levels of the propelled nations of the world.
The issues identified in the two countries need to be addressed in order to facilitate the effective operations and employment of quality management methods such as quality in wheat production.
1.3 Key issues
The main issues with regards to quality wheat production and farming that need consideration by all farmers, particularly in Australia and India are: –
Research Scope
The research scope of this report will be the comparison of wheat farming and production in Australia and India. The various issues stated above will also be highlighted in relation to quality wheat production in these two nations. The report also intends on systematically applying different TQM principles in an effort to address issues of quality at the point of wheat production, from farming to storage. This will enable farmers in Australia, India, and other parts of the world to better cater to customers’ expectation of quality, successively highlighting important management systems for implementation.
2.0 Literature Review
2.1 Total Quality Management
Total Quality Management (TQM) is a participative, methodical way to deal with arranging and executing a consistent hierarchical change process. Its approach is centered around surpassing clients’ desires, distinguishing issues, building responsibility, and advancing open basic leadership among laborers (Abdullah & Tari 2012; p.180). The TQM reasoning joins the entire association in a constant push to enhance quality and consumer loyalty. Total Quality Management depends on the conviction that the general populations who are nearest to the activity best comprehend what is not right and how to settle it (Ahmadzai, Meng & Zhou 2017; p. 157). Management has the obligation at all levels to deal with the frameworks in which products or administrations are delivered. TQM is an authoritative way to deal with consumer loyalty including clients, individuals, and the nonstop change of procedures. There are numerous other great definitions that all have one essential target: accomplishing consumer loyalty by including clients. T.Q.M. naturally perceived the significance of bringing an organization and the individual together through group and process (Kafetzopoulus & Gotzamani 2014; p.7). TQM is the focal part of mixing organization and individual performers and aggressively addressing their clients’ needs. In the event that quality does not meet the gauges of organizations’ clients, it can have exceptionally negative effects on the organization, for example, loss of potential clients and an awful organizational image.
2.2 Principles and concepts of TQM
The principles and concepts of Total Quality Management first appeared in 1988 when the American government developed the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (). Here, organizations were being pushed to adopt a business model that is focused on business productivity without necessarily having to give up quality. Presently, these principles and concept of TQM are creating interest in order to meet the various challenges of global competition. Notably, the concept of TQM is all about indoctrinating business productivity as well as customer satisfaction through human resource effectiveness and harnessing of information (Manos, et al. 2010; p.44). This eventually leads to the establishment of more jobs in addition to strengthening the economy in general. The TQM concept makes use of a systematic approach of managing individuals and processes, to produce outputs that have zero faults and ensuring total customer satisfaction.
The concept can be achieved by obeying five major principles of TQM. These are customer-oriented quality management, process approach in achieving quality, employee participation in developing, maintaining, and sustaining quality, systematic approaching managing issues and processes, and continuous quality improvements (Manos, et al 2010; p.1596).
It should be noted that different practices and tools have, in the course of history, been developed in an effort to measure as well as improve the quality of products and processes. These tools are categorized into Basic and Advanced (Al-Bourini, Al-Abdullah & Abou-Moghli 2013; p.95). Basic TQM tools tend to assist in the measurement and display of product information or process, in order to watch out for anomalies while determining if quality is being affected. On the other hand, advanced TQM tools are more focused on the improvement of an organization’s strategic management. In turn, the quality of products and processes is also improved (Khanam, Siddique & TALIB 2013; P.2439). Some of the most commonly used TQM tools and practices help organizations to comprehend the full scope of an issue being evaluated or illustrated. This means that using only one of the TQM’s tools may inhibit an organization’s understanding of the information provided, or may actually inhibit it to further possibilities.
These tools are histograms which illustrate and look at different data elements in order to make decisions about them; cause-and-effect diagram, also referred to as fishbone chart or ishikawa which identifies numerous potential causes for an issue or effect and sorts ideas into meaningful groups; control charts which study how a process transforms over time, pareto chart which indicates on a bar graph which factors are more important; process maps which sufficiently solve various quality issues; and the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) Cycle, also known as the Shewhart Cycle which emphasizes a new plan for transformation (Manos, et al 2010; p.1596). On the other hand, advanced TQM tools constitute the Six Sigma, Taguchi Method, DOE, Process Performance Index, Lean Processes – 5S-Ohno’s 7 wastes, and JIT – Kanban (Neale 2013; n.p.). The illustration below indicates the different TQM tools used in today’s industries, particularly the wheat farming sector.
With regards to TQM practices, it is argued that there is a lack of agreement amongst some researchers about the measurement scales of hard and soft TQM practices. They suggested that while hard elements are more associated with methods and tools of quality, design procedures, and process measurement and management, soft ones are associated with human aspects (Ahmad, et al. 2012; p.184). In reality, soft TQM practices refer to the long term factors related to management aspects and issues, and must therefore be considered and prioritized in an organization’s TQM strategy and implementation plan. These practices are generally concerned with Human Resource Management (HRM), and focuses on behavioral sides such as management leadership, creation of value to customers, attaining customer satisfaction, teamwork, and employee training (Corridor & Goni 2011; p.833). Contrarily, hard TQM practices concentrate on improving systems and tools of quality management, and are anticipated to support and encourage the implementation of soft TQM practices. Practices such as information feedback, process management, quality systems, and regular improvement are included.
Benchmarking refers to the process of comparing cycle time, productivity, quality of specific processes or techniques, or cost to another that is considered to be an industry principle or best practice (Mittal & Mehar 2013; p.9). Most organizations today, both in India and Australia are using benchmarking tools in TQM to improve organizational performance, gain strategic advantage, and increase the level of organizational learning, bringing novel concepts into the industry while facilitating experience sharing. With this tool, the wheat production and farming industry is able to not only identify other industries that have similar processes, but also exchange information that is beneficial (de Ponti, Rijk & van Ittersum 2012; p.7).
2.4 Pros and Cons of TQM
The possible advantages of TQM are that when approaches in view of Total Quality Management are created and executed, then everyone is urged to work better than average and improve things considerably more inside the organization. Since the attention is on identifying with the customers, this gives an absolutely new viewpoint and helps an extraordinary arrangement in product advancement and furthermore, in understanding what the genuine needs of buyers are (Yang, Hong & Modi 2011; p.255). For instance, in the mid 90’s numerous video record producers felt that the customers needed more complex recorders. However, that was not valid; what they really required were recorders that were easy to utilize and this mismatch brought about the ruin of a large number of the video record organizations in that time (Dastagiri, Gajula & Ganeshagouda 2014; p.20). Had TQM been a piece of the business around then, it would not have needed to face such a circumstance. Another preferred standpoint with Total Quality Management is that it expects to do things effectively the first run through, so valuable energy and assets are spared and henceforth, it likewise intends to be a cash sparing device for the organization over the long haul (Mittal & Mehar 2013; p.10).
The cons or the negative part of the TQM is that when consistent change is on the motivation, then things that are now functioning admirably may be upset at general interims and no procedure may have the suitable time that it requires to achieve its pinnacle (Craberry, et al. 2011; p.82). Individuals may feel that they are being put a considerable measure of weight in light of the fact that new procedures are being acquainted constantly and individuals require adjusting. Furthermore, on the grounds that Total Quality Management centers around doing things right the first time, workers may feel the heat (Helfienstein, et al. 2016; p.e0160729). A critical purpose of the adverse effect of TQM is that since individuals are urged to sympathize with the customers, they may never be sufficiently bold enough to sophisticate the product.
2.5 Quality in the Wheat Production Industry
Wheat is one of the fundamental wellsprings of supplements for people and creatures. Its wide adjustment to differing agro-environmental conditions, its storability, and its intricate concoction structure, are principle qualities that have made wheat the most generally utilized crop in food handling (Aghili 2014; p.e1014487). The wheat preparing industry is ending up more effective and adaptable, and in this manner requires more particular quality attributes to create unmistakable flour and sustenance composes (de Ponti, Rijk & van Ittersum 2012; p.6). Wheat evaluations and classes must be produced or additionally refined, to advertise wheat with particular and, most importantly, more uniform quality properties. Accordingly, and keeping in mind the end goal to keep up wheat generation in concurrence with developing populace and buyers’ requests, wheat-producing nations need to end up more effective in creating wheat cultivars that have high efficiency and in addition, particular quality characteristics (Guttieri, et al. 2015; p1035). Then again, there are nourishing and medical problems related with the sustenance utilization of wheat.
Wheat quality can best be portrayed regarding end-client, healthful quality, processing, and baking and rheology quality. By and large, wheat should be sound, perfect, well develop, free from foreign material and damaged (Andres & Bhullar 2016; p.4). Notably, quality of wheat tends to mean different things, depending on who you are in the wheat production chain. For instance, what such quality may mean to a breeder, miller, or grower may be quite different from what it means to a baker, consumer, or retailer. It is important for wheat farmers to understand their environment in terms of soil and biological effects, as well as climatic effects. The main elements of wheat quality are grain hardness or texture, protein quality, defect elimination, and protein content (Azadi & Ho 2010; p.165). The texture of the wheat grain usually influences milling performance, and hard grained wheat produces flour that has higher water absorption tendency, better baking performance, and firmer and more extensible dough characteristics (Abudllah & Tari 2012; p.184).
Soft grained wheat, on the other hand, usually produces confectionary products such as biscuits and cakes. These require extensible and weak dough properties and low water absorption (Ahmadzai, Meng & Shou 2017; p.157). Furthermore, soft wheat is used for white salted noodles and steamed bread production. Environmental variables may exert strong impacts on the quality of wheat, given the numerous variations in meteorological patterns among the growing regions. Farmers across the globe need to realize that the wheat variety is actually the most significant factor that influences the wheat quality parameters (Kafetzopoulus & Gotzamani 2014; p.9). That is why careful choosing from and suitable utilization of presently available genotypes may be an efficient way to improve the quality of wheat. The conventional cross-breeding of novel cultivars is seen as an ideal method to enhancing wheat adaptability and quality to environmental variations. Therefore, the choosing of crossing parents conferring desirable quality attributes and a mixture of good-quality genes will result in improved wheat quality.
2.6 Summary
TQM is considered to be an important concept that helps organizations and industries in the production of quality products while catering to customers’ anticipations and needs in order to attain customer satisfaction. The concept of TQM also welcomes the whole company with the inclusion of workers, continuous improvement, and management (Manos, et al. 2010; p.46). As observed, Total Quality Management is also applicable in the wheat production and farming industry, which experiences various challenges such as constant changes in the climate, government reaction to wheat production, and technology.
3.0 Comparison of wheat production and quality in Australia and India
3.1 How does the following affect the quality of wheat production in Australia?
3.1.1 Water requirement (cost production)
Evolving atmosphere, dry season and urban development undermine the yield of Australia’s wheat. Be that as it may, changes in cropping techniques could address diminished water and prompt a bounce in yield not seen since the late 1980s. The normal yield of Australia’s prevailing grain edit, wheat, changed little amid the 1970s (Manos, et al. 2010; p.1597). At that point, from the mid-80s to the turn of the century, three changes relatively multiplied the normal wheat yield in south-eastern Australia. The first of these was “water-restricted yield potential”. A benchmark was set: a yield should deliver around 20kg of grain for each hectare for each millimeter of water that it utilized (Al-Bourini, Al-Abdullah & Abou-Moghli 2013; p.95). This thought was quickly grasped by the farming community for it gave an effortlessly comprehended benchmark against which agriculturists could think about the execution of their products. Normal yields were not as much as half of that and there was much excitement for discovering why (Khanam, Siddique & Talib 2013; p.2439).
The second change was canola’s presentation into the cropping framework. Ranchers soon saw that the yield of wheat was considerably more noteworthy on the off chance that it was developed after canola, as opposed to after different harvests (Neale 2013; n.p.). The nearness of canola established in the dirt incredibly reduced the force of unrecognized root infections. These root infections had brought about untrustworthy reactions to nitrogen compost, which agriculturists had in this way been unwilling to apply (Ahmad, et al. 2012; p.189). The third change was the inexorably quick take-up of preservation cultivating procedures. Because of new and successful herbicides, culturing was never again required to kill weeds (Corridor & Goni 2011; p.835). Ranchers could sow crops without developing the dirt, and this implied sowing could be substantially more convenient. It additionally left the dirt considerably milder. These three changes gave ranchers a more profound functional knowledge, backed up by agronomic research, into what was restricting the yield of their wheat crops. This gave them the certainty to go for higher yields by including more manure (Yang, Hong & Modi 2011; p.259).
The general accomplishment of early sowing may profit agriculturists as much as the progressions of the late 1980s. Agriculturists may now seek after a considerably higher water-constrained potential yield than in the 1990s, on account of the catch of summer precipitation and discharged nitrate for use by the accompanying products, the more noteworthy potential yield coming about because of the more drawn out period accessible for creating flower structures that deliver grain, and the time accessible to create further roots for catching significant water from somewhere down in the subsoil amid grain-filling (Dastagiri, Gajula & Ganeshagouda 2014; p.24). If the products can utilize a greater amount of the yearly precipitation, not only that in the developing season), and get a more noteworthy grain yield per millimeter of that additional water, yield could go up by 25% (Mittal & Mehar 2013; p.10). This prospect might be fortified by new cultivars that will give ranchers a chance to sow seeds substantially more profoundly, sufficiently profound for them to be sown straightforwardly into the sodden subsoil.
3.1.2 Modernization in technology
In Australia, improvement of grower’s capabilities to innovate is considered to be one of the main possible mechanisms for increasing productivity growth (Craberry, et al. 2011; p.87). This ability is dependent upon various characteristic natural to the farmer, their broader operating environment, and their farm. Notably, the supply of innovations and whether or not farmers are willing to embrace innovation tend to have a bearing on possible adoption patterns as well as productivity growth. Furthermore, innovative ability together with its measurement is now a national priority for Australia following a recent review. It suggested that while innovation policy has mainly concentrated on Research and Development, less focus has been paid to the improvement of the ability of organizations to adapt and apply innovations (Helfienstein, et al. 2016; p.e0160729).
It is rather unfortunate to realize that a majority of surveys of technological advancements in Australia have ignored the agriculture industry, making it risk being left behind in terms of developing initiatives that are directed at the improvement of innovation under the National Innovation Strategy (Aghili 2014; p.e101487). Overall, most of the wheat farmers are reportedly adopting novel marketing approaches where they are now able to sell wheat directly to a wider range of end users and traders who make use of various payments and deliver alternatives.
3.1.3 Weather comparison
Recently, studies have shown that transformations in climate tend to have a negative effect on wheat farming and productivity, particularly in southeastern Australia and southwestern Australia (dePonti, Rijk & van Ittersum 2012; p.7). The drier inland regions of the cropping zone are more heavily affected given that these regions tend to be more sensitive to rainfall decrease. Lesser effects have taken place in the wetter regions that are closer to the coast. Notably, for scenarios that involve increased temperature and decreased rainfall, wheat yields together with land values in Australian agricultural industries were forecasted to decline by about 7 to 16% (Guttieri, et al. 2015; p.1035). Below is a figure illustrating change in value of wheat exports for the year 2016 when adaptations are adopted.
3.1.4 Government response to the wheat cultivation
In Australia, the wheat sector has had a long history of government regulation, mainly by the Commonwealth Government (Andres & Bhullar 2016; p.4). This is because the grain and wheat industry of the country has been a key agricultural export industry that provides important parts of Australia with a viable sector and beneficial crop for over a century. During the 90s, the Australian Wheat Board (AWBI) ceased functioning as a government organized legislative power. Another government regulator, Wheat Export Authority was established with the purpose of monitoring and exporting on AWBI’s performance with regards to management of the National Pool, and controlling and exporting wheat in bags and containers by non-AWBI exporters through the issuance of export consents (Azadi & Ho 2010; p.166). In the past, state governments together with Commonwealth provided the wheat sector with financial support which was in the form of guaranteed minimum prices to farmers and investment in handling and storage, and regulatory control which was in the form of limitations on the sale of wheat (Abdullah & Tari 2012; p.190). Today, the government still has a regulatory role in the marketing of export wheat. However, it no longer provides subsidies to wheat farmers and has instead divested their participation in the handling, distribution, and storage of wheat. The Australian governments at both levels have managed to contribute greatly to agricultural study through state-founded government research firms, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, and universities (Ahmadzai, Meng & Zhou 2017; p.157).
3.2 How does the following affect the quality of wheat production in India?
3.2.1 Water requirement (cost production)
By a long shot the most imperative agro-ecological zone for wheat creation in the creating scene is the mild, inundated condition described predominantly by vast territories 5in northwest India. India bolsters 15% of the total populace, yet has just 4%of the world’s water assets (Kafetzopoulus & Gotzamani 2014; p.11). World Bank information demonstrates that exclusive 35 percent of India’s rural land is watered. This implies an enormous 65 percent of cultivating depends absolutely on rain (Manos, et al 2010; p.50). As customary blends of harvests have been supplanted with high-yielding wheat, rice, sugarcane, and cotton, the utilization of water has gone up. Moreover, new artificially changed seeds might give higher product yields; however they are likewise thirstier than characteristic seeds (Maos, et al 2010; p.1588). Today, India’s farming division represents more than 90% of aggregate water drawn, but contributes a mere 15% to the nation’s Gross domestic product. To utilize another metric, 89% of India’s removed groundwater is utilized as a part of the water system division (Al-Bourini, Al-Abdullah & Abou-Moghli 2013; p.95).
3.2.2 Modernization in technology
The introduction of farm technologies combined with a robust Information and Communication Technology structure is still evolving in India (Khanam, Siddique & Talib 2013; p.2440). Technology has, in the recent past, driven Indian agriculture by assisting overcome productivity stagnation, enhance farm management, and strengthen market connections. As established, technology adoption tends to modernize Indian wheat farmers’ production practices, leading to even yearly returns for farmers, increased harvests, and minimized risk of crop failure. The application of digital technology in wheat farming and production in India has been quite instrumental in the promotion of information generation and advanced analytics that allow farmers to make smart choices and gain from an economical utilization of labor and inputs (Neale 2013; n.p.).
3.2.3 Weather comparison
Changes in weather are considered to be among the key challenges facing mankind in future where the effect of weather change has been quite detrimental to the Indian agricultural sector. From ancient times, India’s farming has been reliant on rainstorm. Any adjustment in rainstorm slants radically influences agribusiness. Indeed, even the expanding temperature is influencing Indian farming. In the Indo-Gangetic Plain, these pre-storm changes will principally influence the wheat crop (Ahmad, eta l 2012; p.190). The significant effects of environmental change will be on rain bolstered or un-flooded products, which are developed on about 60% of cropland. A temperature ascend by 0.5oC in winter temperature is anticipated to diminish rain sustained wheat yield by 0.45 tons for each hectare (Corridor & Goni 2011; p.837). Potentially there may be some change in yields of chickpeas, rabi maize, sorghum and millets and coconut on the west drift and less misfortune in potatoes, mustard and vegetables in north-western India because of decreased ice harm. Expanded dry seasons and surges are probably going to build generation inconstancy (Yang, Hong & Modi 2011; p.260).
3.2.4 Government response to the wheat cultivation
The potential for a wheat deficiency in India this year may conjure recollections of the 2006/07 showcasing year amid which India imported about 7 million tons of wheat, the biggest volume since 1975/76 (Dastagiri, Gajula & Ganeshagouda 2014; p.25). While the market has hailed the South Asian nation as a potential impetus to help worldwide wheat request this year, introduce Indian wheat crop misfortunes are maybe more firmly connected to troublesome climate in consecutive seasons as opposed to government approach (Mittal & Mehar 2013; p.10). Nonetheless, it is crucial to see how enactment prompted the exhaustion of wheat stocks in the mid-2000s in light of the fact that arrangement has been instrumental in forming India’s sustenance security for well more than 200 years. It is just a short time before strategy becomes possibly the most important factor again (Craberry, et al. 2011; p.88). By mid-2002, government-managed Food Corporation of India (FCI) held right around three times the required least measure of wheat away (Aghili 2014; p.e101487). Maybe perceiving both the huge stock and its potential gainfulness, the legislature considerably sponsored sends out in the vicinity of 2000 and 2004, bringing about a gigantic spike in trades. In the meantime, another extensive amount of wheat was sold to household brokers, additionally at a sponsorship (dePonti, Rijk & van Ittersum 2012; p.8).
With respect to local policy, three levels of government exist in Australia, and these are local, federal, and state. The Australian Constitution gives certain powers to the Australian federal government which is responsible for legislating matters such as trade, quarantine, international affairs, and defence (Guttieri, et al. 2015; p.1035). The states, on the other hand, have a wide range of powers and are concerned with natural resources, law and order, education, and health. Moreover, as they are responsible for real property and agriculture, the agricultural policies of each state is considered, together with the agricultural policies of the Australian federal government. Notably, it is the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) that is responsible for the management of various legislation in ensuring high-quality wheat production, biosecurity and agricultural management in the region, and environmental conservation (Andres & Bhullar 2016; p.4).
On the other hand, a novel Indian Seeds Bill (2004) has been circulated by the Indian government in an effort to overhaul the seed regulatory system (Azadi & Ho 2010; p.167). The main aim of the proposed law is to control the seed market and ensure quality seeds. Given that farmers in the nation have been producing, exchanging and selling various crops for many years, proof from across the globe indicates that these will eventually die out. By adhering to the Indian Seeds Bill, there will be little or no incentive to produce and use farmer varieties, leaving wheat farmers no option but to purchase and utilize registered seeds from private organizations (Abdullah & Tari 2012, p; 192).
Considering the statutory situation present in both Australia and India, there needs to be a new policy allowing for wheat farmers to comfortably and profitably produce their crop. As indicated, there are already numerous factors such as weather and water requirements affecting the quality of wheat farming and production, something which also requires urgent attention. The three main determinants of wheat quality production, grain hardness, lack of foreign material, and good soil quality should also be considered. Therefore, a number of decisions have to be made in order to address the current issue facing wheat farmers in the two nations.
What are the main decisions that will need to be made?
The main decisions that a wheat farmer has to make in ensuring quality wheat production are: –
4.1 Normal and abnormal situations
To ensure good soil conditions for the wheat, wheat farmers need to evaluate the abnormal and normal dangers, vulnerabilities, and risks on their farm. This assessment should be carried out at least on an annual basis (Ahmadzai, Meng & Zhou 2017, p.157). Additionally, the emergency checklist and plan should be reviewed and renewed once a year.
Normal dangers are usually associated with daily activities and are evaluated earlier. Abnormal situations, on the other hand, refer to areas of vulnerabilities on wheat farms, such as drought, flooding, and fire (Kafetzopoulus & Gotzamani 2014; p.12). These issues are summarized in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Abnormal situations that wheat farmers may encounter
|
Abnormal danger/vulnerability |
Severity of danger/consequence |
Preventative actions |
Corrective actions |
|
Drought |
Crops damage/loss Reduced wheat volumes |
Watch out for weather forecasts Assure shading alternatives |
Adjust planting times |
|
Flooding |
Transportation Crops damage, loss Assure alternative storage choices |
Find alternative transportation roads/methods Be aware of property maximum flood height |
Budget daily requirements based on recovery inventory Assess sick crops |
|
Fire |
Crop damage/loss Machinery damage Storage damage/loss |
Assess alternatives for different storage locations Remove weeds and debris Locate all water sources |
Assess sick wheat crops |
5.0 Data Collection
This research made use of qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection where sources and techniques such as journal articles, interviews, and literature reviews were accessed. Quantitative data for statistical process control was available in terms of grain hardness, and quality of the soil. An interview with representatives of both the Australian and Indian agricultural ministers proved to be fruitful as the researcher was able to obtain the necessary information regarding quality wheat production in the two nations.
6.0 Assumptions and Limitations
Given the nature of wheat farming in Australia and India and the available information, the following assumptions were made: –
A few limitations were also encountered in the course of this research. For instance, those being interviewed did not have sufficient time to conduct the interview, thus provided hurried and general information to the topic at hand, and the transportation costs incurred during data collection.
7.0 Solution: Proposed Key Principles
The main Total Quality Management principles as described in the Literature Review were found to be suitable in instilling quality in wheat farming and production. With regards to quality wheat farming and production in Australia and India, the TQM principle of employee involvement should be considered. From what has so far been highlighted, wheat farmers are not included in most of the decision-making processes and it is actually the government which has a say in this (Manos, et al. 2010; p.51). Wheat farmer empowerment combined with active participation from the farmers will ensure that quality issues are properly addressed. Another TQM principle that can be considered is the integrated system where every farmer in both nations should possess a thorough understanding of the wheat quality standards, policies, important processes, and objectives (Manos, et al. 2010; p.1597).
8.0 Required Action Plan
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Reliability: |
India: It is expected to be an estimated production of 93.5 million tonnes wheat will be harvested in the year 2016. The expectation for this production is always high in the country. The states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar are wheat growing state. Their income is heavily dependent on this production. The production is very flexible in the country in comparison to other crops like rice. The sowing of the crops in the country takes place in two intervals, one in September and another in November. The most important factor that affects the production is time and methodology. The country is heavily reliable on the production as a major part of their agricultural revenue depends on this production. |
Australia: It is the major crop grown in Australia in the winter timings. Their sowing starts in the time of Autumn and the harvesting depends completely on the weather condition. The country is somewhat reliable to this crop but not like India. The states that are main producer of wheat are Western Australia, New south Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland. Western Australia (DAFWA) that is responsible for the management of various legislation in ensuring high-quality wheat production, biosecurity and agricultural management in the region, and environmental conservation (Andres & Bhullar 2016; p.4) |
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Availability: |
The Indian government decided to raise the price of wheat by the new season in 2017. They have set the price high with the thought that the higher price will boost the wheat output. The country is the second biggest producer of Wheat in the world. The government is buying the crop from the farmers at a state level price to create a stock to run the welfare program that covers 75% of the total population. |
The Australian Constitution gives certain powers to the Australian federal government which is responsible for legislating matters such as trade, quarantine, international affairs, and defence (Guttieri, et al. 2015; p.1035). The states, on the other hand, have a wide range of powers and are concerned with natural resources, law and order, education, and health |
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Recommendation: |
The basic problem that the country men and the farmers face regarding th e wheat cultivation is the unpredictable weather. The people aer unaware of the weather condition and thus they cannot take any necessary steps that will benefit the farmer from natural disasters. The weather report organizations can help the farmers to become aware about the possible mishaps that might affect the country on the particular years. They can also use latest technologies to improve the wheat cultivation and save time and energy of the farmers. The farmers should also make sure they are developing their skills along with the changes in the international market for giving a tough competition to the foreign countries. The country should make sure that the farmers are being educated and informed about the latest technology and policies that will benefit the growth process. The farmers should also be educated how to maintain the quality of the soil even after a regular cultivation of the crops. They can be informed about rotational crop cultivation and alternate crop production which will save money and at the same time help the soil to maintain its nutrients. |
Considering the statutory situation present in Australia, there needs to be a new policy allowing for wheat farmers to comfortably and profitably produce their crop. As indicated, there are already numerous factors such as weather and water requirements affecting the quality of wheat farming and production, something which also requires urgent attention They can use the updated technologies that would help the country to develop their production and bring them better opportunity to expand their production. The country should make sure that the workers or the farmers are having proper idea and knowledge about the policies, technologies, requirements in the market. They can update themselves with the updates technologies and machineries that will help them to develop further. . It is important for wheat farmers to understand their environment in terms of soil and biological effects, as well as climatic effects. The main elements of wheat quality are grain hardness or texture, protein quality, defect elimination, and protein content. The texture of the wheat grain usually influences milling performance, and hard grained wheat produces flour that has higher water absorption tendency, better baking performance, and firmer and more extensible dough characteristics thus the farmers should make sure that they have a better conception about the cultivation process. |
Conclusions
Conclusively, this particular report has investigated the issues surrounding quality wheat production and farming in Australia and India. A solution for the implementation of TQM principles for all wheat farmers has also been proposed. Grain hardness and the quality of the soil have been identified as the most critical factors in wheat quality.
From India to Australia, changes such as training on how to identify the right soil quality and determine grain hardness should be recommended. Despite the fact that wheat farmers in India have little access to contemporary farming tools, they possess more knowledge on what type of soil and temperature the wheat grains require in order to produce quality wheat.
From Australia to India, changes such as training of farmers on R&D capabilities should be recommended. As indicated, Indian wheat farmers do not possess modern day tools and technology to better run their wheat farms. Australia is technologically advanced and can, therefore, offer a few lessons on how to implement this knowledge into wheat farming to ensure quality.
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