Prospects and Problems of Malt Barley Cultivation through Contract Farming in Rajasthan

The paper discusses policy options in the malt barley cultivation through corporate-led contract farming in barley and the issues related to productivity in Rajasthan. Non-parametric statistical techniques were used to identify the reasons for farmers’ preference for contract farming and cultivation of two-row malt barley. The paper also addresses the issues of contract farming related to perception of the farmers with such arrangement. The results indicate that contract farming has a positive impact on popularisation of malt barley and its productivity. Majority of the farmers had sown barley during 16–20 November. They used 35 kg seeds for one acre of sowing and majority of them treated seed and adopted line sowing with seed drill. Majority of the farmers (91%) did not apply any herbicide in barley crop. About 64% barley farmers applied three irrigations in the crop at different stages. Majority (58%) of the farmers harvested the barley crop with combine harvester along with wheat and it was a latest trend in the study area. According to the farmers, the major advantages of contract farming were as follows: better price, easy seed availability, easy marketing and timely payment. The major disadvantages were monopoly of one company and farmers had to store malt barley grain for some time for selling until the contracting party purchased it. Despite these problems in contract farming, the farmers had favourable attitude towards growing malt barley. Hence, the contracting agencies should provide technical know-how, ensure quality seed of high-yielding varieties and better price to make contract farming a viable option for the farmers in Rajasthan.