In a significant move to enhance agricultural diversity and support local farmers, Zambian Breweries Plc has kicked off the 2023 cassava harvest season in Luapula Province.
Cultivating cassava in Zambia faces several challenges, including limited knowledge of best agronomic practices, inadequate processing and market infrastructure, limited access to credit and financial services, and market integration issues.
By addressing these barriers, Zambian Breweries has been supporting small-scale farmers and helping them unleash the untapped benefits of cassava farming, hence transforming lives and communities.
Kawambwa District Commissioner Godfrey Chilambwe commended the farmers for their courage in venturing into cassava production, acknowledging their crucial role as the foundation of the supply chain.
“I also would like to commend Zambian Breweries for their contributions to this cause. Through their cassava out grower scheme, the brewer has empowered over 6,000 farmers, promoting productivity and sustainability as they source the cassava used in brewing their Eagle Lager and Mosi Light,” Mr. Chilambwe said.
Through the breweries’ collaborative efforts with local farmers, the brewery is helping address crop portfolio diversification in Zambia while promoting sustainable economic growth.
Zambian Breweries Country Director, Michelle Kilpin, emphasized the importance of strong partnerships with farmers and their integral role in maintaining the quality standards of their beers. She expressed the company’s commitment to climate change, value addition, local sourcing, job creation, and contributing to national tax revenue, thus promoting self-sufficiency and fostering industrialization.
“We have had the privilege of working with farmers from across the country through our out-grower schemes and have over the years forged strong partnerships. They have become an integral part of our supply chain and have greatly contributed to maintaining the quality standards of our beers–because without quality produce, there can be no quality finished product.” Said Zambian Breweries Country Director Michelle Kilpin.
“We are eager to witness more and more small-scale farmers come into this space and reaping the rewards for themselves and their families. Thank you, once again for you unwavering dedication and hard work. Together, we can achieve a future filled with more cheers—cheers to yet another bountiful harvest season, to shared value, cheers to sustainable farming, and stronger market linkages,” Ms Kilpin concluded.
Traditionally, Zambia’s farming culture has heavily relied on maize production, leaving climate-resilient crops like cassava lagging behind. However, through the partnership with Zambian Breweries, cassava farmers are emerging as crucial players in the realization of a future with more agricultural diversity and sustainable economic growth.
