Stella Muthee is contract farmer mobilised by the Kenya Breweries Limited to grow sorghum, a key raw material in the production of their keg Senator beer. Through the Sorghum out-growers programme, KBL has created employment for over 47,000 farmers drawn from Kisumu, Migori, Siaya, Homa Bay, Busia, Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties.

Stella is a trained agronomist. After finishing her studies she went back home to do farming where she grew maize, beans and other crops. The proceeds were not impressive, and she realised that most farmers in her area lacked the necessary skills for profitable farming. She took this opportunity to train them on the best farm management practices. and mobilised for the formation of table banking groups meant to improve their livelihoods.

“It is in 2015 that we were introduced to sorghum farming though many farmers did not embrace this crop”, adds Stella.

According to a recent research done by the Tegemeo Institute on behalf of KBL, the introduction of sorghum beer in the market has provided an opportunity to improve production and welfare for sorghum farmers countrywide.

Prior to this, sorghum production had been declining due to a shrinking production area which had a ripple effect on yields.

However, the crop’s production is now at an all-time high thanks to sorghum beer production which has led to increased utilisation of sorghum for industrial purposes. This shift provides a market opportunity to absorb large volumes of this produce at competitive prices.

During our interaction with Stella, she reveals to us that Sorghum farming requires less inputs than other crops and the outputs are appealing to farmers.

Doing Sorghum farming in Imenti South constituency what would one require for an acre of land?

• Lease fee annually – Ksh. 8,000

•  Ploughing – Ksh. 2,000

• Seeds - 4Kgs (Ksh. 900)

• Herbicides – Ksh. 850

• Spraying Herbicides labour

 – Ksh. 250

• Planting – Ksh. 1,200

•  Fertilizer (Planting and top    dressing) – Ksh. 10,000

• Fertilizer application labour  - 600

•   Harvesting – Ksh. 2,100

According to Stella a farmer will get 15 bags of Sorghum each weighing 100Kgs and sell a Kilo at Ksh. 33 at farm gate while Ksh. 42 at the company.

Source: The Standard