India: Hops bringing good revenue to Keylong region farmers

Farmers in Keylong region of Himachal Pradesh are getting good returns by cultivating hops, ANI communicated on October, 20.

Hops have emerged as one of the main cash crops of the region and are being cultivated in around 63 hectares of the land area.

More and more farmers are taking to cultivating hops because of its lucrative value as one kilogram of hops fetches the farmers anywhere from between rupees 60 to 70.

“It is very easy to grow. We do not have to sow it again and again. We have to only change the its rope or thread, to support the plant. People are benefiting a lot from it,” said Shamsher Singh, a farmer.

Among the various varieties of hops cultivated in the region are the hybrid and late Cluster.

The hybrid Cluster is rich in alpha acid content and is much in demand in the beer industry.

The cultivation of hops began in 1979. Last year, the region’s hop production totalled 41.80 metric tonnes.

21 October, 2009