Some 1,200 members of a farmer’s cooperative society in Homa Bay County have lauded plans by Kenya Breweries Ltd (KBL) to raise payments for sorghum farmers in the region.
Elisaphan Ager, the chairman of Karachuonyo Lolwe Rume Cooperative Society said the move will go a long way in boosting the morale of sorghum farmers in the area.
Ager said the current payment of Sh37 per kilogramme should be reviewed upwards in the wake of biting inflation. The chairman disclosed the society is planning to diversify its activities and intends to intercrop sorghum with other crop varieties.
Waithera Mwai, Sustainability and Stakeholder Engagement Manager at KBL said the Sacco will assist the farmers to scale their businesses to greater heights through subsidised loans, group training and larger socio-economic empowerment opportunities.
She said the brewer plans to offer continuous farmer training on agronomy and business development for off-takers, adding that they have also formed a forum to discuss pricing changes.
“Through the Sacco, we can now offer short term-farmer agronomy in addition to the provision of subsidised certified seed to all farmers,” Mwai disclosed.
She said they also offer advice on the provision of post-harvest and
grain-handling equipment like tarpaulins and threshers, adding that such overtures are aimed at long-term sustainable farming culture which is market driven.
She said the company will continue providing extension services to the
community and focus on regenerative agriculture to improve yields and
counter climate change.
Mwai indicated they are at the moment working with 3,300 farmers in Western Kenya. They have mobilised the farmers into clusters for ease of training and seed distribution.
She said they have also offered certified seed at subsidized price of Ksh80
instead of ksh160 per kg.
Mwai said the brewer has created a mutual working relationship with the Homa Bay County agricultural ministry and is providing socio-economic empowerment where farmers now have a cash crop that is reliable.
“We have moved sorghum from the ‘poor man’s’ crop to a commercially viable venture in the society,” she added.
By Fredrick Odiero
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