Nile Breweries Limited (NBL) has trained more than 450 barley farmers in the Rwenzori region in improved harvesting and post-harvest management practices, helping them safeguard the quality, value and marketability of their crops.

The training sessions, conducted in Kibwa and Kamabale parishes in Fort Portal, focused on key harvesting and post-harvest handling techniques, including assessing crop maturity, determining the optimal harvest time, drying, threshing, moisture management, cleaning, winnowing, grading and storage.

The initiative is part of NBL’s ongoing efforts to strengthen local agricultural value chains and support farmers who supply raw materials for its brewing operations.

“Farmers are the foundation of our value chain, and the quality of our beers begins with the quality of the crops they produce,” said Emmanuel Njuki, Head of Legal and Corporate Affairs at Nile Breweries Limited.

“By investing in practical training, improved seed varieties and reliable market access, we are helping farmers protect the value of their harvests, increase their incomes and adopt more sustainable farming practices. At the same time, we are strengthening local sourcing and contributing to Uganda’s agro-industrial development.”

The training forms part of NBL’s Local Raw Material Programme, one of Uganda’s largest private-sector agricultural sourcing initiatives. Through the programme, the company supports farmers to cultivate high-quality barley and sorghum by providing improved seed varieties, agronomic support and a guaranteed market for their produce.

NBL currently sources more than 95 per cent of the raw materials used in brewing its products locally, including barley, sorghum, cassava and maize. This commitment to local sourcing supports rural livelihoods, reduces dependence on imported inputs and helps build a more resilient agricultural supply chain.

According to Bob Mutegeki, NBL Agriculture Team Leader for the Western Region, effective post-harvest management is critical to maintaining grain quality and maximising farmer returns.

“Producing quality barley does not end in the field. The timing of harvesting, drying, threshing and storage all have a significant impact on the final quality of the grain,” said Mutegeki.

“These training sessions focused on practical measures that farmers can immediately apply to reduce post-harvest losses, preserve grain quality and meet the standards required by the market.”

The sessions also provided an opportunity for farmers to engage directly with NBL’s agricultural team on barley pricing, access to seed and fertiliser, and other agronomic support available through the programme.

Through continued training, technical support and farmer engagement, NBL aims to strengthen the Rwenzori barley value chain, improve the quality and productivity of locally grown barley, and contribute to sustainable livelihoods for farming communities across the region.