Nile Breweries recognises Rwenzori farmers for role in barley supply chain

October 29, 2025 in Companies, Land & Agriculture by Editor

Nile Breweries Limited (NBL), beer maker AB Inbev’s Ugandan unit, has recognised farmers in the Rwenzori sub-region for their contribution to the country’s barley value chain, during an event that brought together growers, local leaders, and agricultural partners in Fort Portal.

The event, part of the company’s “Cheers to Farmers” campaign, highlighted how smallholder farmers contribute to the local sourcing of raw materials and the broader goal of agro-industrialisation under Uganda’s National Development Plan III.

NBL says it now obtains more than 95 percent of its brewing inputs — including barley, sorghum, cassava, and maize — from local suppliers. Through its Local Raw Materials (LRM) programme, the company works with about 9,000 smallholder farmers each season, providing improved seed varieties, training, and guaranteed markets. These interventions, it says, have supported increased household incomes and strengthened rural livelihoods.

“Before Nile Breweries trained us, my yields were low, and I often struggled to sell what little I harvested,” said Sophia Bambu, a farmer from Fort Portal. “Now, with better seeds and advice from their field officers, my production has doubled. I have been able to pay school fees for my children and even expand my farm.”

According to Joseph Luzinda, NBL’s Agricultural Manager, the programme is helping farmers overcome structural challenges in production. “One of the biggest challenges facing farmers in the area is unpredictable rainfall, pests, or limited access to mechanisation,” he said. “Through our Local Raw Material programme, we are working with farmers to overcome these challenges by introducing more sustainable farming techniques and ensuring that every farmer has a guaranteed market for their barley.”

The Fort Portal event also featured farmer recognition awards and a “Seed to Sip” experience, where participants traced the journey of barley from cultivation to brewing. The company honoured farmers in categories such as Quality Excellence, Best Farmer, and Community Champion, and distributed equipment including knapsack sprayers, gumboots, and protective overalls to improve safety and efficiency.

“Our beers begin in the hands of farmers,” said Ingrid De Ryck, Global Chief Sustainability Officer at AB InBev. “That’s why we work to support farmers in Uganda and around the world by sharing practices that boost yields and reliable markets to sell their harvests. It’s local partnerships like this that help to create resilient supply chains and stronger communities.”

Local leaders at the event urged continued cooperation between the private sector and government to improve productivity and market access. Kabarole District Chairperson Richard Rwabuhingwa said empowering farmers through training and reliable markets was key to improving rural livelihoods.

Uganda’s agricultural sector, which employs the majority of its population, continues to attract private sector investment in value chains such as barley, a crop that supports both industry demand and household incomes in regions like the Rwenzori.