E-Malt.com News article: Tanzania: Serengeti Breweries strikes partnership to produce barley locally

A tripartite partnership has been struck between the government, Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) and farmers to produce locally raw materials for beer making, AllAfrica reported on April 18.

Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Leonidas Gama said at a special 'Farmers' Day' discussion convened by SBL on April 17 that cultivation of barley and millet shall be incorporated in districts development plans and assured them of reliable market.

Mr Gama said one of the main problems facing some farmers had been unreliable markets but with SBL's move there is no reason why extensive farming should not be done in the country.

"Barley production now will be incorporated in district development plans and the government will make sure every leader from ward level upwards is involved. Extension officers who were dealing with other crops such as maize and coffee should now engage fully with barley and millet production.

"As for you farmers, this is a golden opportunity before you, so make sure you tap it especially those in Siha district. But also for those in Moshi, Mwanga and Same districts lowlands should turn to millet. You are sure of getting money from millet and barley," said the RC.

Mr Gama said more than 100 farmers have decided to take up contract farming but said they are not enough, as there are needed up to 6,000 farmers provided there is land.

He said the government should be notified if some people or co-operative societies have idle land and are dillydallying in letting the land be used for barley or millet production and it will sort out the matter in line with the laws of the land.

Earlier, SBL Director General, Mr Steve Ganon told the farmers from different parts of the country that they are the ones to make a difference in their lives and in the Tanzanian economy in general by striking a new partnership in business.

Mr Ganon said it was not fair to import barley from Sweden while it can be produced in the country. "Are we crazy to import barley from Sweden, thousands of kilometres away while we can produce it here?

It is down to you as you can make the difference. Our capacity is 12,000 tons per year. Next year we expect to produce 8,000 tons so still we have to import. We have always wanted to buy locally produced raw materials by 100 per cent but we need help from farmers to achieve this.

We will support you, we will train you, supply you with agricultural inputs as well as link you with banks as we have done already to others before you," said the DG.

He said that clear business opportunity and a relationship they are building by farmers growing quality produce and SBL has committed itself to pay them timely at fair market prices and make the dream of having 100 per cent locally produced raw materials come true.

He asked representatives of banks, such as CRDB, Ecobank, NMB and others to be sensitive and understand the situation. SBL Director of Communications, Mr Evance Mlelwa asked the government to honour its promise of tax relief by 40 per cent for locally produced raw materials otherwise the company will be affected economically and the plan might paralyze.

Moshi District Commissioner (DC), Dr Ibrahim Msengi who participated in the tripartite discussion, said the government had thrown its weight on millet because it prospers in difficult environment and it had supplied them with seeds and expertise.

One of notable barley farmers in West Kilimanjaro, Mr Daniel Sandewa, showed gratification that SBL linked them with banks as guarantor and with pesticide companies. He said their problems are plant diseases and lack of enough land.


18 April, 2014