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EABL woos sorghum farmers for Kisumu plant

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President Uhuru Kenyatta is taken through an architectural plan of the proposed Sh.15 billion EABL plant in Kisumu. FILE PHOTO | ONDARI OGEGA | NMG

Ahead of opening its Kisumu plant in September, the East African Breweries Limited (EABL) #ticker:EABL has stepped up outreach to sorghum farmers in the region as it seeks steady supply of the grain.

Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) head of sustainable agriculture sourcing, Omondi Kasidhi, said the brewer has sourced 3,500 acres of land at Siany Okana Farm in Kisumu County where it targets harvest of over 12,000 tonnes of white sorghum by August.

The land has been leased from over 500 members of the community in an initiative that will see EABL cater for all costs of production up to harvesting as well as pay farmers Sh32 per kg for the sorghum.

“We have a five-year contract with farmers who have provided their land, part of which will be used to grow food crops such as maize, beans and green grams to promote food security,” said Mr Kasidhi.

He said the move by the NSE-listed firm aims at deepening socio-economic benefits to the rural population that relies on peasant farming.

“We believe that our programme will potentially create and accelerate a robust supply chain, contributing to the establishment of a stable macro-economic environment steered by agriculture,” he said.

Mr Kasidhi said they will introduce modern farming techniques to improve yields of the key ingredient for beer brand Senator Keg.

Upgrade roads

Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o assured EABL that the County will upgrade road networks in the region to ensure they are passable during all seasons.

“As a county, we appreciate the move by EABL which will see hundreds of our people employed as well as cushion them from starvation,” he said.

EABL will also recruit farmers in Migori, Homa Bay, Siaya and Busia counties.

The brewer currently supplies over 20,000 Senator Keg bars across the country.

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