TBL: Farmers are key partners in progress

DODOMA: TANZANIA Breweries Limited (TBL) has reiterated its commitment to supporting smallholder farmers nationwide, framing them not merely as suppliers but as essential partners in progress.

TBL Managing Director Michelle Kilpin said at the Nanenane exhibition in Dodoma that the company is committed to expanding its farmer network and strengthening ties with agricultural communities.

“We are proud to work hand in hand with thousands of growers across Tanzania, providing them with access to market, farming tools, training and support they need to grow sustainably,” she said.

The company will continue to build long-term, mutually beneficial relationships that foster sustainable agricultural growth and strengthen local sourcing.

Under the rallying theme ‘Cheers to Farmers’, TBL continues to position itself not just as a leading brewer, but as a dependable partner to over 2,500 local farmers across the country.

Speaking during a recent stakeholder engagement session, she said TBL emphasised that empowering local farmers is a cornerstone of its business strategy.

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By sourcing key raw materials such as barley, sorghum and maize from the farmers, the company said it aims to boost rural livelihoods, promote inclusive growth and reduce reliance on imports.

Aligned with its sustainability agenda and vision to create a future with more cheers, TBL has built a robust agricultural value chain by working with farmers who supply key brewing ingredients like sorghum, barley and maize.

Through its local sourcing initiative, TBL has localised procurement for raw materials, a move that strengthens the rural economy, creates jobs and reduces dependency on imports.

The TBL’s Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs, Ms Neema Temba, said through the partnership with more than 4,500 farmers, have been offered training, access to market, farming equipment and agronomic support that increases productivity and resilience.

“We believe that when farmers succeed, we all succeed. That is why we continue to invest in strengthening the agricultural ecosystem in Tanzania,” she said.

As part of this commitment, TBL recently hosted the ‘Sorghum Growers Day’ a first-ofits-kind event that brought together hundreds of farmers, agricultural experts and key stakeholders to celebrate the role of sorghum in driving sustainable agriculture and food security.

The event served as a platform to recognise farmers’ efforts, knowledge sharing, and farming equipment handover and highlight TBL’s support mechanisms that go beyond sourcing.

TBL’s agricultural support programme includes the on good agronomic practices, soil health and climate-smart farming techniques, access to farming equipment through partnerships with suppliers and financial institutions. Others are namely guaranteed market and timely payments for farm produce sourced for brewing.

Many of the farmers supported by TBL are from regions that are vulnerable to climate shocks including Dodoma, Arusha, West Kilimanjaro and Manyara.