Nile Breweries rewards Rwenzori farmers for role in barley supply chain

FORT PORTAL CITY, October 29, 2025 — Brewing company, Nile Breweries Limited [NBL], recently recognised farmers in the Rwenzori Sub-region for their contribution to the country’s barley value chain. The recognition took place during an event that brought together growers, local leaders, and agricultural partners in Fort Portal.

The gathering, part of the company’s Cheers to Farmers campaign, celebrated the vital role of smallholder farmers in sourcing raw materials locally and advancing Uganda’s broader goal of agro-industrialisation under the National Development Plan III.

NBL reports that it now sources more than 95 per cent of its brewing inputs, including barley, sorghum, cassava, and maize, from local suppliers. Through its Local Raw Materials [LRM] programme, the company works with around 9,000 smallholder farmers each season, offering improved seed varieties, training, and guaranteed markets. These interventions have boosted household incomes and strengthened rural livelihoods across the country.

“Before Nile Breweries trained us, my yields were low, and I often struggled to sell what little I harvested,” said Sophia Bambu, a farmer from Fort Portal. “Now, with better seeds and advice from their field officers, my production has doubled. I’ve been able to pay school fees for my children and even expand my farm.”

According to Joseph Luzinda, NBL’s Agricultural Manager, the programme is helping farmers address structural challenges in production. “One of the biggest challenges farmers in this area face is unpredictable rainfall, pests, and limited access to mechanisation,” he explained. “Through our Local Raw Materials programme, we’re working with farmers to tackle these issues by promoting sustainable farming techniques and ensuring that every farmer has a guaranteed market for their barley.”

The Fort Portal City event also featured farmer recognition awards and a Seed to Sip experience, where participants traced the journey of barley from cultivation to brewing. The company honoured farmers in categories such as Quality Excellence, Best Farmer, and Community Champion, and distributed equipment including knapsack sprayers, gumboots, and protective overalls to enhance safety and efficiency.

“Our beers begin in the hands of farmers,” said Ingrid De Ryck, Global Chief Sustainability Officer at AB InBev. “That’s why we work to support farmers in Uganda and around the world by sharing practices that improve yields and ensure reliable markets for their harvests. Local partnerships like these help create resilient supply chains and stronger communities.”

Local leaders at the event called for continued collaboration between the private sector and government to enhance productivity and market access. Richard Rwabuhingwa, Chairperson of Kabarole District, said empowering farmers through training and dependable markets was key to improving rural livelihoods.

Uganda’s agricultural sector, which employs the majority of its population, continues to attract private sector investment in value chains such as barley, a crop that supports both industrial demand and household incomes in regions like the Rwenzori.

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