Barley, one of the key cereal grains globally, belongs to the grass family and is widely cultivated in temperate climates around the world. The barley export business in South Africa is thriving, with tonnes of barley being shipped to various countries each year. As global demand for barley continues to rise, the export of barley from South Africa has seen consistent growth year after year. South African barley exporters are known for delivering high-quality barley and barley-based products. The export of barley from South Africa encompasses a wide range of barley varieties.
�· Azad (K.125)
The Azad variety of barley is typically suited for cultivation in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. Known for its resistance to yellow rust, this variety is both a good source of fodder and grain. Azad matures in about 115-120 days, with a yield potential of 35-38 quintals per hectare under irrigated conditions.
1. Ratna
Ratna is a barley variety developed for rainfed areas in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. This variety is particularly tolerant to saline and alkaline soil conditions, making it ideal for less favorable environments. It matures in approximately 125-130 days and is known for its strong tillering ability, yielding well even in challenging conditions.
2. Vijaya
The Vijaya variety is recommended for rainfed areas of western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh. This variety matures in 120-125 days and is characterized by shorter plant height compared to other barley types. Its yield potential is around 30-35 quintals of grain per hectare.
3. RS-6
Developed in Rajasthan, the RS-6 variety is suitable for both rainfed and irrigated conditions and is widely grown in central and eastern Rajasthan. With a maturation period of 130-135 days, RS-6 offers a yield potential of 35-40 quintals of grain per hectare.
4. Ranjit (DL-70)
Ranjit, also known as DL-70, is a six-row barley variety with heavy tillering, specifically recommended for commercial cultivation in Punjab under irrigated conditions. It has a yield potential of 30-35 quintals per hectare.
5. C-164
The C-164 variety is a tall, six-row barley with compact ears and long awns. Known for its resistance to yellow rust, this variety has stiff straw and is best suited for irrigated conditions. It yields approximately 30-32 quintals of grain per hectare.
6. LSB-2
LSB-2 is a six-row naked type barley variety ideal for cultivation in high-altitude regions like Himachal Pradesh and the Uttar Pradesh hills. It matures in about 145-150 days, with a yield potential of 25-30 quintals per hectare.
Pearl millet is an annual grass that grows up to about 3 meters tall, with a robust root system. As global demand for pearl millet continues to rise, the export of this grain from South Africa has significantly increased, with tonnes of millet being shipped each year. Known for its numerous health and medicinal benefits, pearl millet is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. As a result, the export of pearl millet from South Africa is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. South African pearl millet exporters are seeing substantial revenue from these exports to various countries. With its growing demand, pearl millet export is now a promising business opportunity for food exporters.
1. Giant Bajra
The Giant Bajra variety of Pearl Millet is recommended for cultivation across all Bajra-growing regions. It is a leafy variety with abundant tillering and contains 9-10% protein at the boot stage. This variety is moderately resistant to downy mildew and ergot diseases.
2. Raj Bajra Chari-2
Raj Bajra Chari-2 is another variety of Pearl Millet, suitable for cultivation throughout the Bajra-growing regions. It offers a green fodder yield of approximately 30-45 t/ha and is resistant to foliar diseases and insect pests. During the ear emergence stage, the internodes are fully enclosed in the leaf sheath, and the leaves are broad and shiny.
3. APFB-2
The APFB-2 variety of Pearl Millet is recommended for cultivation in Andhra Pradesh. It is an early-maturing, non-lodging, and fertilizer-responsive variety, ideally suited for summer and early Kharif sowings. The plants grow to a height of 160-180 cm and yield about 25 t/ha of green fodder.
4. PCB-164
Developed by PAU, Ludhiana, from five late-maturing lines, the PCB-164 variety of Pearl Millet is released and recommended for cultivation in the north-western regions of South Africa.
5. Avika Bajra Chari (AVKB-19)
The Avika Bajra Chari, also known as AVKB-19, is recommended for cultivation in western Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, and the Tarai region of Uttarakhand. This dual-purpose variety yields 36.7 t/ha of green fodder, 8.8 t/ha of dry fodder, and 10.2 q/ha of seed.
6. Narendra Chara Bajra-2 (NDFB-2)
Developed by NDUA&T, Faizabad, the Narendra Chara Bajra-2 variety is suitable for cultivation in pearl millet-growing regions of the north-east zone, particularly in salt-affected soils.
7. FBC-16
The FBC-16 variety of Pearl Millet is recommended for cultivation in the entire north-west region of South Africa. This multi-cut variety is resistant to major diseases and features low oxalate concentrations, ensuring higher voluntary dry matter intake by animals. It yields between 70-80 t/ha of green fodder.
8. TNSC-1
The TNSC-1 variety of Pearl Millet was bred by TNAU, Coimbatore, and recommended for cultivation in the entire Bajra-growing region in 1995. It offers a green fodder yield of 27-40 t/ha and is resistant to foliar diseases and insect pests.
