Production of barley is set to decline to 3 000 hectares from 8 000 hectares due to piling up of stocks, the United States Food and Agriculture Organisation (USDA) has projected. The stocks have been piling, owing to lack of export markets. “In the past seasons, about 8 000 hectares of barley have been grown on contract to a private brewing company,” the USDA said.

“However in 2014, the barley contracting company scaled down production due to a high level of stocks; hence barley production is expected to decline to about 3 000 hectares,” it added.

Farmers who opted to grow barley were contracted by private companies that provide ready markets.
“Producers who have irrigation facilities, opt to grow barley under contract to private companies that provide production inputs, a guaranteed market, and timely payments,” the USDA said.

Barley is a whole grain that is mainly used to make particular distilled beverages, beer and different health food components.
Beverage manufacturer Delta Corporation Limited secretary Mr Alex Makamure confirmed the development, saying his company contracted 42 farmers to produce 18 000 metric tonnes of barley this season, down from 46 000 tonnes produced last year because of piling stocks.

“This year we contracted 42 farmers but we are looking forward to increasing the contracts once Delta finds an export market for malt to reduce current stocks of barley (50 000 tonnes which is cover for 2 years) and an additional 18 000 tonnes expected from current crop.

“We previously reported significant success of the barley scheme where farmers have improved yields from about 2,5 tonnes per hectare in 2008 to the 6,5 tonnes achieved in the 2013 season,” said Mr Makamure. — New Ziana.