Nile Breweries Limited (NBL) hosted a series of Farmers’ Day in Eastern and Western Uganda this month. Farmers’ Days are opportunities for farmers to gather, learn from one another and from NBL’s agricultural experts, and connect with stakeholders. During the events, training takes place on how to effectively grow different crops, and on financial protocols to help the farmers with financial empowerment. These events directly support NBL’s parent company, AB InBev’s ambition that 100% of its direct farmers will be skilled, connected and financially empowered by 2025. Around 18,000 farmers participate in NBL’s barley and sorghum production programme per season.
This year, the events, which took place in Kabale, Rubanda, Kapyoyon in Bukwo lower, Amanang and Kortek in Bukwo Upper, Cheminy and Kapnarkut in Kween, and Kepenguria in Kapchorwa were attended by over 2500 barley farmers. Farmers’ Days are also held to thank the farmers for their participation and to acknowledge “star farmers”, who have recorded exceptional production. The recognised categories were; best farmers in yield per acre, best farmers in quality of grains, loyalty , best coordinators in grain delivery per buying center, best coordinators in grain quality delivered to the buying center and best coordinator in terms of farmers mobilisation were rewarded with sprayers, tarpaulins, gumboots, gaggles, respirators, hand gloves and overalls among others.
Ndabahwereze Henry is one of these star farmers. He is 57 years old and farms barley on four acres in Buhanyura Village in the Rubanda District. He employs ten people and has been working with NBL for seven years. He says “I feel very happy and proud that NBL has recognised me as a star farmer. These days I harvest more compared to when I began growing barley. We also get inputs on credit, meaning we can get money from our barley sales more quickly. This means a lot to me: I want at least one of my children to complete university and graduate using the money I get from barley sales.”
As NBL commemorates this year’s Farmer’s Day, AB InBev Africa remains committed to its role in shaping a better future for the continent when it comes to food security and decent nutrition for all.