By Sylvia K
As one way of appreciating and recognizing the efforts of farmers, the Nile breweries have today celebrated the barley farmers from the Rwenzori region in the district of Kasese and Kabarole and Kabale. The barley crop is the raw material that is used to brew beer.
According to Emmanuel Njoki the head of legal and corporate affairs in Nile breweries, the barley crop is grown in mountainous areas and in Kabarole it is grown in Karangura sub county.
He has disclosed that the Rwenzori region supplies 30% of barley crop worth over 6000 tons to Nile breweries for over 8 years something he says has to be celebrated.
Njoki has further disclosed that in a bid to help farmers to produce quality products, they are supporting farmers with input like agro chemicals, knowledge among others.
According to Mutegeki Bob Godon, the agriculture team leader western Uganda, Nile breweries annually give 180kgs of barley seedlings to barley farmers in the Rwenzori region whereby they buy a kilo of barley between 1700shs-1500shs.
Meanwhile, according to Andrew Whiting, the vice president legal corporate affairs of Nile breweries , Uganda is the largest supplier of Barley crop to Nile breweries by 60% something that has attracted them to support farmers in terms of resources like loans among others.
The function took place at Booma grounds in Fort Portal which was attended by different dignitaries.