Uganda Breweries has launched an initiative to support local farmers and promote sustainable agriculture, donating five threshers worth Shs5 million to benefit 1,000 smallholder farmers across the country. This donation aims to improve the efficiency and productivity of farmers, who are the backbone of Uganda’s agricultural sector.
The threshers will be distributed to farmers in five districts, including Kween, Bukwo, Kapchorwa, Rwenzori, and select districts in Northern Uganda. This initiative is part of Uganda Breweries’ Spirit of Progress sustainability strategy, which seeks to create a positive impact in the Environmental, Social, and Governance spheres.
By reducing post-harvest losses and increasing earnings for farmers, Uganda Breweries is investing in the long-term sustainability of Uganda’s agricultural sector.
While handing over the threshers to representatives of the beneficiary farmers in Luzira, the Uganda Breweries Managing Director Andrew Kilonzo said that by supporting local farmers, the organisation is not only contributing to the growth of the agricultural sector but also ensuring a sustainable supply of raw materials.
“Today, we are not just donating threshers to farmers, we are investing in the future of agriculture in Uganda. We believe that by empowering smallholder farmers with the right tools and technology, we can unlock the full potential of our agricultural sector and create a more sustainable future for our business and the communities we serve,” he stated.
Kilonzo said that the donation of threshers is part of Uganda Breweries’ broader commitment to supporting farmers under the program dubbed “Farm for Success” which seeks to address farming challenges related to the quality of inputs, and best agricultural practices.
Under Farm for Success, the organisation invests Shs52 billion annually into farmer communities that supply raw materials used in the alcoholic beverages production process, benefiting 50,000 farmers in the value chain.
Solomon Odongo, who represented farmers at the handover of the threshers applauded Uganda Breweries for the donation, saying that the brewery also provides them with good quality seed, training, and being on Frontline champion of youth inclusion in agribusiness.
“The quality of the grain will improve since threshers make work very fast compared to using sticks which are time-consuming. Use of threshers is also cheap and affordable to the farmers,” said Odong who is also a youth sorghum grower in Bukedea
The Manager of Agribusiness at Uganda Breweries Joseph Kawuki said the donation is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) gesture, supportive move to drive to the quality agenda in terms of better-quality grain as well as a move to reduce the hard labour farmers go through to produce quality grains for Uganda Breweries.
