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Saanjhi Unnati: Malt Barley Development Programme
The Background
Barley in India is largely coarse and feed-grade with variable kernel size and high moisture content. It is not a priority crop for farmers who get yields as low as 1.1 tone per acre and don´t get a fair deal in terms of pricing Realizing the need to improve the quality of the barley supply chain, SABMiller India envisioned & initiated, the "Progress through Partnership" (Saanjhi Unnati) program in the State of Rajasthan in 2005

It was initiated in three tehsils/block (Sri Madhopur, Chomu and Jobner) in the Districts of Alwar, Sikar and Jaipur with 1574 farmers. It has now grown to 12 Centers in 4 districts of Rajasthan with membership of over 6000 farmers with procurement of about 15,000 tones of barley this season
 

Catalysing rural development & improving standards of Living
While the project is targeted at improving the barley supply chain in India, the overall aim is to secure a long-term reliable source of locally grown malt-quality barley and test new strains of barley that offer a better yield and price to the farmer. Finally, the objective is to produce the seed as well as buy products, thus ensuring higher grade of crop with the superior brew house performance

Additionally, this project benefits farmers and the local community by optimizing land use and securing income and enables them to participate in the growth of the Indian beer market

A prime example of a public-private partnership, Saanjhi Unnati involves working closely with government and NGOs to catalyze rural development. The idea is not only to improve yield and income of barley farmers but also to improve overall standard of their living by way of
  • Making available credit for financing in a timely and cost effective manner
  • Inputs and support on
    • Identification, training, establishment of social entrepreneurial units
    • Field level outreach activities
    • Communication within the community to create awareness of basic education, health, hygiene and nutrition
SABMiller India engages with leading global agronomists and agricultural scientists to educate farmers and disseminates correct package of practices for barley cultivation through farmer meetings, personal contacts, providing high quality inputs like seeds, pesticides etc and educates proper usages of these.
  • Helps distribute Government certified seeds at a subsidized rate through the Saanjhi-Unnati Centers and even through a unique "Seeds-on-wheels" campaign
  • Educating existing barley farmers on best practices to help them improve their quality and yields
  • Provides scientific inputs to farmers on issues pertaining to soil testing and agronomic advice
  • Procurement at the best price for the right product with proper weighment and on-the-spot payment, thus ensuring better and hassle free return to the farmer
SABMiller India engages with leading global agronomists and agricultural scientists to educate farmers and disseminates correct package of practices for barley cultivation through farmer meetings, personal contacts, providing high quality inputs like seeds, pesticides etc and educates proper usages of these.
 
Varietal Development Program
SABMiller India is also currently engaged into a varietal seed development program.

Varietals development being handled in-house. 2 row malt quality varieties and one 6 row malt quality variety from 3 agricultural universities being tried extensively.

Trials being conducted with 6 imported varieties selected from previous trials – both as parental lines and also as varietals trials.
 
Program Figures:

 

Year 1- F06

Year 2 - F07

Year 3 - F08

Year 4 – F09

No. of Centers

3

6

12

12

No. of Farmers Enrolled

1574

2390

6024

6450

Seeds Sold (MT)

165

200

520

648

Barley Procured (MT)

1842

7090

9733

15000

 
SABMiller India's partnership with smallholder farmers [00:02:09]