Barley breeding activities of Central Research Institute for Field Crops was started in 1930's with selections among local populations and landraces. Initially, main goal of the program was to develop of winter habit barley varieties. As a result of these efforts, first two-row barley variety Tokak 157/37 was released in 1937. Because of its broad adaptation, high yield potential and cold tolerance, Tokak 157/37 easily adopted and cultivated by farmers for a long time. Barley breeding program was interrupted between 1937 and 1977.

When The National Cereals Breeding Project established in 1977, barley breeding program of institute was started again with hybridization method. As a result of these studies, Anadolu 86, Obruk 86, Bülbül 89, Tarm 92, Yesevi 93, Orza 96, Çetin–2000, Aydanhanım, Avcı–2002, Zeynelağa, Akar and Özen varieties was registered. Çetin–2000 and Avcı–2002 are six-row and others are two-row barley varieties. AYDANHANIM and Zeynelağa have high malting quality. Other varieties are generally used for feed. Özen is the first developed and registered hulless barley variety of Turkey.