India: Acreage under malting barley set to increase in Punjab state

Giving a leg up to contract farming in the state, the acreage under malting barley is all set to increase in the state of Punjab, Financial Express published June 1.

Currently the two-row malting barley variety VJM 315, essentially grown by United Breweries in collaboration with state government's Punjab Agro Foodgrains Corporation, is grown on 11,400 acres by 2,526 farmers. But as the demand for beer augments and the company heads for a major capacity expansion of its Patiala malting plant, the plan is take barley acreage to 25,000 acres by end this fiscal year.

"The program to grow barley started in 2002 with 800 acres across two districts, Sangrur and Patiala. It would now be expanded to 7 districts-Ferozepur, Abohar, Fazilka, Muktsar, Bhatinda, Sangrur, Mansa, Faridkot, Patiala and Ludhiana," I S Sekhon, senior manager Contract Farming, PAFC, told FE. Punjab Agro is providing the required institutional help to farmers for growing barley which includes identifying farmers, distribution of seeds, providing technical know-how and a smooth buy back. The seed production which was done across 335 acres at Punjab Agro's Ladhowal farms would also be taken up across 700 acres from the current year. This year the procurement stood at 9600 tons with farmers getting a price of Rs 750 per quintal.

As for VJM 315, the variety of barley developed by United Breweries has already found favour with farmers here for it can grow under resource deficient conditions Besides, the variety has a higher maltose content and gives better yields than traditional six row varieties grown by farmers.

R K Jindal, divisional vice-president, United Breweries told FE"Looking at the growing demand at 20% per annum, the company is planning to increase the capacity of the Patiala malting plant from the current 20,000 tons per year to 50,000 tons per year with an investment of Rs 30-35 crore. It is also mulling opening up of another plant in the state."

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