It is evidenced that barley has been originated in Egypt over10,000 years ago, and the Rig Veda has references about its usages by all ages.Remarkably, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, also encouraged itsusage as a staple food for pregnant women for health benefits for both motherand child in her womb. Although hulled barley crop is being used to make avariety of products, including malt whiskey and cattle feed. However, thebenefits of hullless barley (without husk) on human health would largely bediscussed hereunder.

Barley contains significantly higher proteins (13 gms) thanwheat (10.59 gms)and rice (7.94 gms).  Similarly, both soluble(beta-glucan; 6-10%) and non-soluble (11.2%) fibre contents are alsocomparatively in better quantity than those in wheat (1.6 and 9.63) andpaddy(0.82 and 1.99). Besides, energy (1554), calcium (50 mg), iron (5 mg),zinc(5.2 mg), and starch (72.67 gm), which are also available in comparativelygood quantities than those of wheat and paddy. Polyphenols, a type ofantioxidant, are also available to the body in good amounts in barley (23.47mg) as compared to wheat (14.33 mg) and paddy (1.14 mg). However, the releaseof glucose (g) is much less, 0.06 g in barley than 0.73 of wheat, and 0.54 g inpaddy. Similarly, phytates (mg), which are considered bad nutrients, areamazingly half in barley (386 mg) than in wheat (638 mg). Barley alsopossesses a substantial amount of active ingredients along with a fairly goodquantity of phytochemicals, resistant starch, lignin, ferulic acid,phytosterols, and antioxidants, etc. Therefore, being optimal in barley ascompared to both wheat and paddy makes its quality even better for adding it tothe daily dietary schedule. Even compared with fruits, vegetables, pulses, andnuts, barley supplies an even better amount of soluble dietary fibers.

About 11.4% and 10%of the total population in India and Punjab,respectively, are diabetics. Low glycaemic index in barley is only half (28) ascompared to wheat (68), and high starch content, which keeps the blood sugar ata low level even for a longer time, makes a comparatively better staple foodthan both wheat and rice, especially diabetic population. In addition,beta-glucan also increases the effectiveness of insulin (an element essentialfor the digestion of sugar) as well as stimulates the production of anotherhormone called glucagon-like-peptide-1. Beta-glucan makes a type of jelly inthe intestines, which reduces hunger feeling thereby one eats naturally less.Starch can also reduce the risks of diseases like obesity, along beta-glucanalso provides a natural basis for beneficial bacteria and helps in theformation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) quickly. It's the SCFA, whichhelps in producing less cholesterol by slowing down the production ofcholesterol in the liver and intestine of the human being. A jelly-likesubstance called beta-glucan, which plays an important role in making it lessabsorbed in the intestines in the body. The presence of sterols or phytosterolsin barley, which are similar to bad cholesterol, would have been less absorbedbecause sterols and phytosterols are absorbed more than cholesterol in theintestine. The indigestible fibers in the intestines, which are found in plentyin barley, help the gut system remain strong and healthy by which helps mentalhealth remain in good shape. Barley plays a good role in maintainingintellectual and mental health intact by providing vitamin B and antioxidants;besides, it also keeps the problem of constipation away. Removing impurities orfree radicals via polyphenols from the body helps in keeping the liver healthy,too. Significant health benefits of barley should place it as a healthy alternativeto both wheat and rice for both physical and mental health.

Dr. Ranjodh Singh Bains, Administrative Officer-cum-Secretary,

Punjab State Farmers’ and Farm Workers Commission

Rural women’s empowerment and livelihood security in India areshaped by a combination of gendered aspects of work participation, access to finance, and agencyin household and community decisions. Recent data show measurable gains along withsharp state-level differences in this aspect. With respect to livelihood, national datashows that women’s economic participation has strengthened in recent years. According tothe Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24, female Labour Force Participationrate (LFPR, usual status, age 15+) stands at 41.7 per cent, and the female WorkerPopulation Ratio (WPR) stands at 40.3 per cent, reflecting a major rise compared to previous rounds(PIB, 2024). The rural female LFPR increased considerably between 2017-18 and 2023-24,showing rural labour markets, public works, and allied activities have been importantspaces for women’s income generation (PIB, 2024). Across states, empowermentand livelihood pathways vary because economic structure, social norms, and programmereach differ widely. According to the PLFS pattern, female LFPR has increased in moststates, with rural areas witnessing major gains, such as Rajasthan and Jharkhand haveshown a strong increase in participation in recent evaluations (EACPM, 2024). At the sametime, evidence from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21, shows state-leveldisparities in women’s empowerment indicators such as agency, decision-making, and relatedindicators, highlighting that an increase in one indicator (work) may not always matchimprovements in another (autonomy) (Vignitha, 2024). Empowerment is not only about enteringwork, but it is also about control over earnings, mobility, and decision-making- making. The recent NFHS 5data show that a large share of women participate in key household decisions, whichoften serve as a proxy for agency, yet gaps persist in financial autonomy. For example, itpoints out that many women still lack independent control over spending their own money,with the constraints being more evident in rural areas, highlighting that incomedoes not always translate into bargaining power (Mitra et al., 2024). Within these contradictingscenarios, Self-Help Groups (SHG) have proved to be a major institutional driver ofrural women’s livelihood under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural LivelihoodsMission (DAY-NRLM), which supports savings, credit linkage, livelihood training, andcollective strength. This programme has played a crucial role in expanding women’s access toformal finance and livelihood opportunities. The latest data from the Periodic LabourForce Survey (PLFS) suggests a positive trend: more rural women are participating in employmentand livelihood systems, while institutional platforms such as SHGs are also growing.However, empowerment remains uneven across states and social groups, and the next policypush must focus not only on jobs but also on quality work, secure incomes, skill development,and improved financial and social agency.

AbhimanyuSingh Thakur, Programme Coordinator, IRDF

Harpham,1997; Galea et al.,2006). The NMHS report also highlights a higher prevalence rate of mental health problems in urban populations (13 per cent) due to occupational stress, social isolation, and changing family structure compared to the rural population(around 6 per cent). Notwithstanding the high disease burden, India faces a severe treatment gap also exceeding 80per cent, indicating that a majority of individuals requiring mental health care do not receive timely or adequate treatment. Empirical research suggests that shortages of trained mental health professionals, weak integration with primary healthcare, stigma, and low mental health literacy significantly restrict access to care, particularly in rural and marginalised communities. In response to these challenges, the Government of India has initiated a new National Mental Health Survey after a gap of nearly nine years, aimed at generating updated ,state-wise evidence to guide policy planning and resource allocation.

India’s mental health policy architecture is anchored in the National Mental Health Policy,2014, which adopts a rights-based, participatory, and life-course approach. The policy emphasises universal access, stigma reduction, service decentralisation, and the integration of mental healthcare into primary health systems. A landmark legislative development was the enactment of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, which legally guarantees the right to mental healthcare and aligns the legal framework with international human rights norms. Research studies highlight that the Act represents a paradigm shift from custodial care to rights-based and patient-centred mental healthcare (Duffy & Kelly, 2019). Along with this, the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) continues to strengthen district-level mental healthcare delivery. More recently, the National Tele-Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS) has expanded service reach through24/7tele-counselling services in multiple Indian languages, addressing access barriers in underserved regions (Ministry of Health and Family Affairs, 2025).

Despite policy progress, mental health remains under-financed, with public spending accounting for 1-1.3per cent of the total health budget (Economic Survey 2024-25). Several research studies highlight the urgent need for increased investment, expansion of themental health workforce, school- and workplace-based interventions, andcommunity-led care models (Karan et al., 2021; WHO, 2025). Mental health is integral to India’s social cohesion, economic productivity, and human development. While policy frameworks demonstrate increasing commitment, translating them into effective outcomes requires sustained political will, adequate financing, evidence-based planning, and community engagement. Strengthening mental health systems is essential for building a resilient, inclusive, and equitable India.

Parmeet Kaur, ProgrammeCoordinator, IRDF