Wild barley, once considered a harmful weed, originates from Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. It has now spread widely, including to China. This plant typically grows wild at altitudes between 1,300 and 2,400 meters, particularly in abandoned fields. Due to its strong nutritional competitiveness, wild barley was previously eradicated by farmers to protect the yield of main crops.
However, perceptions about this plant have transformed completely thanks to modern scientific research. Scientists have discovered that wild barley contains many valuable nutrients, especially beneficial to livestock, improving their health and enhancing the nutritional value in the animal husbandry industry. As a result, what was once shunned is now considered a promising “new star.”
Beyond its role in animal feed, wild barley is also recognized in traditional medicine for its medicinal properties. The stem and fruit have a sweet taste and neutral nature, benefiting the heart and lungs, and can be used as a tonic. Experimental formulas on livestock have shown positive results in treating common ailments.
Additionally, wild barley grains can substitute cereals in diets and serve as a raw material for green fodder production for cattle and horses. Even the stems can be utilized for papermaking due to their excellent fiber characteristics, further expanding the potential applications and economic value of this once-underrated plant.
The remarkable transformation of wild barley has elevated its value to new heights. On e-commerce platforms in China, this once-ignored “weed” is now sold at prices reaching 1,400 RMB per kilogram, equivalent to over 5 million VND. Despite the high price, this product remains scarce and hard to come by.
The primary reason for the high prices is that wild barley is not cultivated on a large scale. Harvesting relies mainly on natural collection from high-altitude mountain regions, which offer ideal climatic and soil conditions for the plant’s growth. This makes the harvesting process laborious and challenging in terms of transportation and preservation, contributing to the elevated prices.
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