By Umar Nsubuga
Making money from barley growing involves various strategies that maximise the crop’s potential.
Moses Kiptala, a barley farmer and resident of Mengya village, Piswa parish in Kween district says the crop can be sold as grain.
“You can sell your harvested barley grain to local markets, traders, or directly to consumers. Barley is used for food, animal feed, and brewing, making it a versatile crop with steady demand,” says Kiptala.
He says barley is a key ingredient in beer production.
“You can contract with breweries or malt houses to supply barley for malting. This is often more profitable than selling for food or feed purposes, especially if you grow malting barley varieties”, he advises.
Kiptala says barley is used as animal feed, particularly in livestock farming. When you grow barley on a commercial basis you can sell your crop to feed mills, large-scale livestock farms, or even small-scale poultry and cattle farmers.
Malting barley for breweries or other uses can increase its value. Barley can be ground into flour and sold to health food markets or bakeries that specialise in whole grain products.
Barley flour is gaining popularity due to its health benefits.
“Partner with companies or breweries that need a reliable supply of barley and enter into contract farming agreements. These contracts often provide secure pricing and market access, reducing the risk of price fluctuations,” he narrates.
After harvesting the grain, Kiptala says the remaining straw can be baled and sold as animal bedding or fodder. It can also be used for mulching in gardens and farms.
Margaret Chelagati another farmer in Kapachorwa says organic barley typically fetches a higher price due to the growing demand for organic products. If you can transition to organic farming practices, you can market your barley to niche organic food markets.
“Barley has international demand, especially in countries that rely on imports for brewing and livestock feed. You can explore export markets if you produce in large quantities or collaborate with export companies,” she explains.
Intercropping and crop rotation
Chelagati explains that barley is often grown in rotation with other crops, helping improve soil fertility and reduce pest/disease pressure. You can use barley as part of a profitable crop rotation system with crops like legumes or wheat, further increasing your income by maintaining soil health.
By focusing on high-quality production, value addition, and tapping into diverse markets, barley growing can be a highly profitable agricultural venture, she adds.
