Area under barley has increased in Rajasthan by 47 per cent to one lakh hectares in the ongoing rabi season so far on good monsoon, according to a report by commodity exchange NCDEX.

The acreage of barley, which is grown only in the rabi season, stood at 68,000 hectares as on November 15, 2010.

“As on November 15, 2011, area coverage for barley in Rajasthan is recorded at one lakh hectares compared to 68,000 hectare last year by mid-November,” National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) said in a report.

Good rainfall witnessed during this year seems to be supporting sowing of the crop in Rajasthan, the leading producer state, it added.

Barley is cultivated as a rabi crop in India, with the sowing done in October-November and harvesting in March-April.

Area coverage of barley in Jaipur stood at 20,000 hectares till November 15, while 12,500 hectare area has been sown under the coarse cereal in Sikar during the same period.

According to the estimate of the Agriculture Ministry, the country has produced 1.57 million tonnes of barley in 2010-11 crop year (July-June).

USDA has pegged the global barley production at 133.15 million tonnes in 2011-12, while the consumption has been estimated at 136.47 million tonnes in the same period, NCDEX said in its report.

Barley is used as livestock feed, human food and barley malt for producing beer and alcohol. Its use in the food and industrial consumption is increasing.

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