KBL to Contract 5000 More Sorghum Growers

Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) is looking forward to contracting more sorghum growers to match the increased demand for senator beer Keg.

The company has 40,000 sorghum farmers aboard in their database since sorghum is the product’s raw material. It aims to increase the number to 45,000 due to the increased demand for senator keg lager, a low-budget beer.

Kenya Breweries introduced Keg to curb the consumption of illicit beer produced earlier. The company has spotted 22 counties where the crop can bloom. The farmers will supply the crop directly to the brewer.

The manager in charge of sustainability and stakeholder engagement stated that they look forward to empowering the farmers who grow sorghum in Kenya. He further stated that despite the crop being referred to as a poor man’s crop, it could enrich the lives of the growers.

Farmers to benefit from the program are from Tharaka Nithi, Migori, Meru, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Siaya, Baringo, Nakuru, Kitui, and Makueni.

Others are from Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Kajiado, Machakos, Isiolo, Embu, Kirinyaga, Narok, Bomet, Muranga, and Malindi who will be first registered and enrolled in the initiative.

Farmers in Homa Bay, one of the key providers of raw materials for beer production, aim to grow the crop after the previous harvest has been sold to various organizations.

According to Ager Kirowo, chairperson of Karachuonyo Farmer’s Lolwe Cooperative Society, farmers in this group supplied at least 30 tonnes of sorghum in their latest harvest.

“Production was below our previous harvest because of prevailing challenges like reduced rainfall. Every season comes with its own sets of challenges,” he said.