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Recently, scientists suggested that barley should be grown in Punjab in a bid to diversify wheat-paddy monoculture in the state. Barley requires much less water to grow compared to paddy, and is healthier than wheat.

Details:

In recent years, the area under barley cultivation has dramatically shrunk across India, including in Punjab. In 1960-61, barley cultivation area stood at 3.20 million hectares in India, and 66,000 hectares in Punjab. However, it came down to 0.54 million hectares and 5,000 hectares in India and Punjab respectively.

About Barley

• Barley is a major cereal grain widely grown in temperate regions around the world.
• Among the oldest domesticated cereals, barley has been cultivated for almost 10,000 years, mainly throughout Eurasia.
• It serves many purposes, including use as animal feed, a source of fermentable material for beer and some distilled beverages, and as an ingredient in a variety of health foods.
• In addition, barley is a key ingredient in the production of beer and whiskey.

Conditions for growing barley

• Does not tolerate high heat or humidity. It grows in areas with rainfall between 75 cm and 100 cm.
• It is grown as a rabi crop in the Great Plains and the valleys of the western Himalayas.
• It can thrive at altitudes up to 1300 meters as seen in Uttarakhand.

Production and distribution of barley:

Barley production declined over time (as did most millets). It is mainly grown in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir.

About Millets

• Millets are short-grained (3-4 months), small-grained, warm cereals belonging to the grass family.
• Millet is grown in less fertile areas and is highly resistant to drought and other extreme weather conditions.
• Millet requires low or no purchased inputs and is considered the backbone of dryland agriculture.
• Millets are highly nutritious, non-glossy fertile areas and are highly tolerant of dry and non-acidic foods.
• Millets offer nutraceutical and health-promoting properties, especially due to their high fiber content. They provide food for poor people.

Types of Millets:

Why crop diversification has eluded Punjab?

Historical Challenges: Punjab's monoculture of wheat and rice was driven by India's need to ensure food security, but it caused environmental stress, declining farm incomes, and overuse of water resources. Several reports since 1986 have recommended crop diversification without effective implementation.

Policy failure: Recommendations of various committees (Johl 1986, 2002; Kalkat 2013; others) emphasized a shift to less resource-intensive crops such as pulses and oilseeds, but were undermined by poor implementation, lack of compensation, and insufficient financing.

Political and structural problems: A politically powerful landowning class and centre-led politics limit maneuverability at the state level. A lack of bold policy decisions, such as limiting discretion and MSP for alternative crops, has stalled reforms.

Economic barriers: Farmers face high production costs and low yields, with diversification requiring upfront investment. Past initiatives such as contract farming and special programs under RKVY have failed due to poor planning and loopholes in legislation.

Current Proposals: The Draft Agriculture Policy 2023 proposes measures such as banning rice in critical blocks, using water-saving technologies, and ensuring MSPs for alternative crops, but requires strong political will for implementation.

Way forward: Effective crop diversification requires the Center to allow states greater policy autonomy, align incentives with regional needs, and provide adequate financial resources to enable sustainable transitions.

Source:

Indian Express