ZAMBIA BREWERIES WIN KUDOS FOR FACILITATING AGRO DIVERSITY

By Jessica Mwansa

ZAMBIAN Breweries has continued to enhance agricultural diversity in Luapula Province, providing market opportunities, training and support to local farmers, Luapula Province Agricultural Coordinator Godwin Chate has said.

Speaking to The Scoop, Mr. Chate said its “seed to sip” approach involved directly sourcing of cassava from small-scale farmers thereby creating a sustainable value chain that contributed to the brewing of its renowned local beer brands Eagle Lager and Mosi Light.

“Recently, Zambia has witnessed a surge in cassava demand for both human consumption and industrial production, earning it the title of the next big thing for the export market. All eyes are on Luapula Province, where continuous agricultural development is transforming the lives of its indigenous population, making cassava farming a popular practice,” he said.

Mr. Chate said previously, a number of people did not understand how to farm cassava adding that the lack of markets as well as transportation costs prevented the farmers from showing interest in growing the crop.

“There were so many people who did not understand how to farm cassava and the lack of markets as well as transportation costs prevented them from showing much interest in the crop.  There were also challenges in finding cassava varieties suitable for our soils and we lacked support in identifying them,” he said.

He said once a humble subsistence crop, cassava was increasingly becoming one of Zambia’s most profitable cash crops as it demonstrated versatility as an industrial raw material with wider applications such as use in the brewing industry.

“To address these challenges and ensure year-round viable economic activity in the province, we are working to promote agricultural diversity in a bid to improve the farmers’ livelihoods and we are partnering with socially conscious companies seeking local empowerment which can assist the community in venturing into farming climate-resistant cassava.

 “This signifies the continued preservation of Luapula Province as a regional cassava hub. The next phase involves working closely with Zambian Breweries to support more farming cooperatives so that they too can follow recommended practices, improve their yields and make a living,” he said.

He said there was a need to empower more local communities and create sustainable partnerships adding that over 6,000 small-scale farmers had benefited from Zambian Breweries’ support through an out-grower scheme where they received equipment and training.

“The relationship between Luapula Province and Zambian Breweries remains constant with efforts aimed at supporting farming endeavours, improving yields, and ensuring equitable benefits for all members of the community,” he said.