PHOTO: Farmers harvesting finger-millet in Western Kenya in an undated photo. EABL is looking for at least 30,000 tonnes of millet and sorghum to meet its deficit. PHOTO BY HAILEY TUCKER.
Smallholder farmers working in groups have a chance of annually delivering at least 30,000 tonnes sorghum and millet to one of the region’s biggest alcohol manufacturer, East African Breweries Limited (EABL).
The company buys the two products at Sh33 per kilo, but for easy collection, small-scale farmers must pool together their harvest to meet the minimum delivery requirement of 30 tonnes.
East African Malting Limited, a subsidiary of EABL, Lawrence Maina said the company aims at offering farmers ready market while providing affordable alcohol brands to consumers.
READ ALSO: Farmers scale up sorghum farming as brewers come calling
Sorghum and millet are among the short season indigenous subsistence crops consumed in Kenya, with the potential of becoming cash earners for both small and large scale farmer amid the strained supply.
According to Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) pearl millet is one of the strongest drought tolerant varieties, therefore, fit for growing in dry lands or regions with irregular rains.
READ ALSO: ABC’s of Finger millet
The two crops mature in less than four months.
For the purpose of the brewing, farmers are required to grow white sorghum varieties, Sila and Gadam, and pearl millet.
Farmers can access quality seeds for planting from Kenya Cereals Enhance Programme outlets.
READ ALSO: Researchers target beer companies with sweet sorghum
Contracting farmers to produce the crops is taking root too as a way of showing commitment of producing and buying the harvest.
Related posts:
- Fact Sheet on Pepino melon farming From an initial investment of Sh75, 000 a farmer investing in one acre of pepino...
- Research Institute Develops Juice from ‘Mukombero plant’ Value addition for ‘Mukombero plant’ into a ready to drink juice will enable consumers to take...
- Beyond Access: Breaking Barriers for Women in Agriculture I first met Memory in Kasungu, in the Northern part of Malawi. Memory, a...
- Nanyuki farmer sets up grocery and home delivery to maximize profits By George Munene In May of this year, Gad Kamarei, a mixed farmer at Nanyuki...
- Malaa farmer turns his kid’s rabbit keeping hobby into thriving business By George Munene At Navina Rabbit Farm, George Kanyingi’s herd of over 400 rabbits is...
- How Limuru farmer earns Sh9,000 weekly from 40*100 managu plot By George Munene On a 40*100 piece of land you can harvest up to 300...