Highland barley is a major food crop in Tibet

Highland barley, also called hulless barley, is a cereal crop belonging to the barley species. It has been mainly planted in China's western highlands, such as Tibet, Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan. Tibetans mainly live on highland barley, processing it into roasted barley flour, noodles, bread, barley wine, etc. In recent years, highland barley has got more and more attention for its high nutritional value, especially containing β-glucan which has been discovered to help regulate blood sugar, enhance immunity and anti-tumor of human body. Industries that use highland barley have been expanding in Tibet, including barley food, barley tea, barley beer, etc., which will create further demand for highland barley.

Highland barley is a major food crop in Tibet, with an annual planting area of around 130,000 ha occupying about 58% of Tibet's total arable land. The annual output of highland barley in Tibet is around 600,000 tonnes, accounting for over half of annual grain output in Tibet. Planting highland barley is also the main source of income for Tibetan farmers.

Tibet, located in the Southwest border of China, is situated in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau—the world's highest, with altitudes over 3,000 meters. The high altitude and low temperature mean crops such as highland barley; Wheat and oilseed can be cultivated only once a year and then only in those parts of Tibet that is suitable. This gives Tibet the lowest grain output among all of China's provinces. To meet grain demand, Tibet imports from other parts of China over 200,000 tonnes of grains such as rice.

Aiming to increase grain output and ensure food security, Tibet government has been enhancing highland barley planting in recent few years. For example, in 2012 USD4.85 million (RMB30 million) of investment has been made in the construction of high-quality highland barley bases in 10 big agricultural counties of five cities. Besides, farmers' enthusiasm for planting and selling grains is also promoted by the direct grain subsidies and higher purchase price of highland barley. Moreover, Tibet government intends to accelerate the breeding, approval, demonstration and promotion process of new highland barley varieties, striving to update the major varieties once every 10 years.

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