At least 1,000 will benefit from the shs25 million worth of threshers donated by Uganda Breweries, in a bid to support local farmers and promote sustainable agriculture.
The donation aims to improve the efficiency and productivity of smallholder farmers, who are the backbone of Uganda’s agricultural sector.
The five threshers will benefit farmers from districts of Kween, Bukwo, Kapchorwa, Rwenzori, and Northern Uganda districts, reducing post-harvest losses and increasing their earnings.
This is part of Uganda Breweries spirit of progress sustainability strategy that seeks to create an impact in environmental, social, and governance spheres.
While handing over the threshers to representatives of the beneficiary farmers in Luzira, the
Uganda Breweries Managing Director Andrew Kilonzo said that by supporting local farmers,
the organisation is not only contributing to the growth of the agricultural sector but also
ensuring a sustainable supply of raw materials.
“Today, we are not just donating threshers to farmers, we are investing in the future of
agriculture in Uganda. We believe that by empowering smallholder farmers with the right
tools and technology, we can unlock the full potential of our agricultural sector and create a
more sustainable future for our business and the communities we serve,” he stated.
Kilonzo said that the donation of threshers is part of Uganda Breweries’ broader commitment
to supporting farmers under the program dubbed “Farm for Success” which seeks to address
farming challenges related to the quality of inputs, and best agricultural practices.
Under Farm for Success, the organisation invests shs52 billion annually into farmer communities that supply raw materials used in the alcoholic beverages production process,
benefiting 50,000 farmers in the value chain.
Solomon Odongo, who represented farmers at the handover of the threshers applauded Uganda Breweries for the donation, saying that the brewery also provides them with good quality seed, training, and being on Frontline champion of youth inclusion in agribusiness.
“The quality of the grain will improve since threshers make work very fast compared to using
sticks which are time-consuming. Use of threshers is also cheap and affordable to the
farmers,” said Odong who is also a youth sorghum grower in Bukedea.
The Manager of Agribusiness at Uganda Breweries Joseph Kawuki said the donation is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) gesture, supportive move to drive to the quality agenda in terms of better-quality grain as well as a move to reduce the hard labour farmers go through to produce quality grains for Uganda Breweries.