AB InBev subsidiary – Lusaka Securities Exchange listed Zambian Breweries Plc (ISIN:ZM0000000078) is through its smart agriculture initiative providing a market to Luapula’s cassava crop. This is a key ingredient in the manufacture of the company’s low cost brand, Eagle lager. Zambrew purchases this carbohydrate crop from over 6,000 subsistence farmers on the Northern and Central circuit of Zambia namely Luapula, Northern and Muchinga provinces.
Statistics from the LuSE listed entity reveal that the company purchased 7,000 metric tons last year (2018) worth over K10million, supporting subsistence farming livelihoods across the nation.
To improve the quality of cassava being farmed and to boost crop yield, Zambrew has partnered with Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) to help develop new varieties of cassava.
“We are concerned about the future and what can be done to address disease, declining yields and climate change towards agriculture. The company has set out a plan to improve yields for cassava farmers as part of the AB InBev 2025 Sustainability Global Goals,” explained Zambian Breweries Agriculture Manager Chris Nicolle.
The company is taking a dominant role in driving the development agenda of the agricultural sector through providing crop varieties and diversification.
“Cassava is a key ingredient in the manufacture of the Eagle Lager brand. It is for this reason that the company has put in place internal quality controls that will help in maintaining the high standards associated with the production of our beverages,” said Mr Nicolle.
Through proper government policies to develop and implement programmes that support crop diversification and increase productivity in crops, Zambian Breweries as an agro processing company is utilising agriculture raw materials such as cassava, maize, sorghum and barley in its production of clear beer beverages. Through agro-processing the company boosts Zambia’s agriculture and economy.
Zambia Breweries is the largest listed stock on the Zambian bourse and recently made it to Africa’s top 250 by market capitalization at $368million.
