This archive report was first published on 11 October 2019.
Published on October 11, 2019, a report by Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development has highlighted the challenges facing sorghum production in Kenya.
Sorghum is a staple food in many Kenyan homes and a key raw material in the brewing of beer by Kenya Breweries.
According to the report, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro) accounts for 46% of improved sorghum varieties released into the Kenya market.
Local researchers had developed a total of 39 varieties by 2017, with Kalro releasing 18 varieties, ICRSAT releasing eight, Rongo University developing four, and Agri Seed Co limited, Egerton University developing three varieties each.
Kenya Seed Company had two varieties, while Leldet had one variety. Many farmers also face difficulties in accessing fertilisers.
"There are also liquidity awareness and distribution constraints," the report added.
To overcome these challenges, the report recommends contract farming, an interlinked system that is gaining traction for commercial sorghum production.
Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) has embarked on a partnership with local academic and research institutions to contract farmers in a bid to supply high-quality seeds for industrial sorghum production.
For milling, processors will mill sorghum for food products, with the by-products being used as animal feed, the report said.
The recent entry of sorghum malting has expanded the opportunity for processing of the crop in Kenya.
For instance, KBL has an estimated capacity of 60,000 metric tonnes per annum.
Following the growth of the sorghum beer market, KBL is developing a second processing plant in Kisumu to increase the volumes from farmers.
KBL says the opening of commercial sorghum production has created an opportunity to produce more for the expanding beer market.
"The emergence of sorghum beer and the projected beer consumption has expanded the sorghum market," the report said.
The report states that models such as contract farming guarantee the sale price and provide farmers with the incentive to reduce their cost of production.
