Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) and Murang’a County have forged a significant partnership aimed at fostering the growth of sorghum farming in the region.

The collaboration, driven by KBL's commitment to community empowerment and sustainable growth, was officially announced at the EABL Headquarters.

The partnership seeks to uplift local farmers while contributing to KBL's supply chain.

Mark Ocitti, Managing Director of KBL, expressed his admiration for Murang’a County Governor, Dr. Irungu Kang’ata, applauding his visionary approach towards enhancing the livelihoods of farmers.

"The realization of this agreement is a realization of a long-standing aspiration. This collaboration lays the foundation for the two entities to collaborate closely in their mission to establish a reliable source of raw material and improve the economic prospects of the benefiting farmers through the sale of sorghum to KBL," Ocitti remarked.

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KBL has already established a robust sorghum and barley value chain involving approximately 47,000 contracted farmers across several counties including Kisumu, Migori, Siaya, Homa Bay, Busia, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Narok, and Nakuru.

This initiative, which has borne significant success, has created a ripple effect benefiting various stakeholders such as retailers, distributors, and agents.

"Our aim is to replicate this triumph by forming a united community of farmers capable of driving the nation's economic advancement," Ocitti stated.

In this new partnership, KBL will extend its support to farmers through multiple avenues including accessible credit facilities, field extension services, and connections with seed suppliers, fertilizer providers, and research institutions.

These combined efforts are designed to bolster the farmers' competitiveness within the market.

The ultimate goal is to enable them to contribute significantly to the country's economic progress.

Murang’a County Governor, Irungu Kang’ata, welcomed KBL's initiative, underscoring the county's enthusiasm to play a pivotal role in the endeavor that empowers farmers and transforms their economic prospects.

Kang’ata highlighted the significance of Murang’a County's involvement in the establishment of a steady raw material supply for KBL.

"We are proud to support KBL's long-term vision in securing a reliable source of raw materials, with Murang’a County emerging as a focal point. Through this partnership, we will also drive the dialogue on responsible alcohol consumption among the youth," Kang'ata noted.

The surge in demand for sorghum, amounting to approximately 40,000 tonnes annually, presents a prime opportunity for sorghum-based beer production to flourish.

This growth benefits not only farmers but also stakeholders along the supply chain, including input suppliers, processors, and retailers.

The collaboration between KBL and Murang’a County paves the way for economic transformation at both local and national levels.

As the partnership takes root, it becomes evident that this alliance is not only a strategic move by Kenya Breweries Limited to secure its raw material supply but also a transformative endeavour that holds the potential to reshape the economic landscape of Murang’a County and the nation at large.