EABL’S NEW DEMAND FOR SORGHUM GROWERS

EABL is on a new hunt for sorghum growers countrywide in preparation for the launch of the Kisumu factory. The company says that the demand will rise from 20,000 to 40,000 tonnes in the next five years. The company is on a mission to recruit new farmers to produce sorghum. Essentially, it is very much interested in acquiring small holder farmers from arid and semi arid areas.

The availability of raw material to a company like EABL is very crucial and lack of sorghum supply is not an option. The plant is set to provide ready market to sorghum and millet farmers who have been earning about Kshs. 2.2 billion in the past years from supplying the beer making plant with raw materials. The increased demand offered by the new plant will increase the number of contracted farmers.

During a sorghum farmers’ field day that was held in Lelana farm in Narok West recently, Mr. Maina (general manager of East Africa Maltings) said that the company would extend its commercial sorghum growing project to Siaya, Homa Bay, Narok, Kisumu and Kwale in an effort to secure more supplies. This move is set to meet the target of production for all the breweries.

EABL has turned to using white sorghum for its processes which has seen farmers increase their cultivation of varieties like Gadam and Sila.