Nile Breweries launches UGX 4Bn barley processing facility in Kween district

November 7, 2023 in Business, Companies, Land & Agriculture, Trade & Industry by Editor

Nile Breweries has commisioned a UGX 4 billion barley cleaning and drying plant in Cheminy,  Kween District, as part of efforts to contain the massive post-harvest losses that were imposing heavy losses on farmers.

The plant, commissioned November 3, with a capacity to dry and compact 250 metric tonnes  of barley per day, will serve moere tan 5000 contract barley growers in the Sebei region districts of Kween, Kapchorwa and Bukwo. Company officials said the strategically located facility “will play a pivotal role in advancing the quality and sustainability of barley production in the region.”

Until now, more than 35pc of the crop harvested by farmers, has been going to waste because of improper drying.

“We are committed to sourcing the highest quality barley for our beer production. With the drying plant, farmers will now dry, clean, and store their barley in perfect condition at the facility straight from their farms, this will accelerate the drying process without altering the quality of the grain” Nile Breweries managing director Adu Rando, said in remarks during the plant’s commissioning.

Nile Breweries uses Ugandan grown barley, sorghum, maize and cassava to brew its beers. The inputs are sourced from 25,000 contract farmers spread across northern, eastern and south-western Uganda who collectively earn UGX 109.3 billion annually from the company. Nile Breweries purchases slightly over 8,000 metric tons of barley annually from farmers in Sebei region.

According to Joseph Luzinda, the agricultural services manager, for Nile Breweries the harvest period in Sebei region coincides with the rainy season. This has been impacting the quality of barley and leading to huge post-harvest losses.

“Our farmers put a lot of effort in growing top quality barley, but they have been losing a third of the crop to the weather. This plant will ensure that their efforts do not go to waste, and they can now focus on growing, knowing that they have a ready and easily accessible drying facility,” Luzinda said.

The state-of-the-art barley drying facility is the first of its kind in Uganda and the brewer is constructing a second barley dryer in Kabale district which is expected to be commissioned in the coming year.

Typically, farmers have been practicing open-air drying, spreading their crop out in the sun for several hours and days. This led to lapses in quality and los of income for growers.

“The opening of this facility reaffirms our commitment to supporting our farmers to maximize their yields and reduce post-harvest losses while also ensuring quality control and convenience,” Rando says.