SLBL LAUNCHES PRE-PAYMENT AND PRE-HARVEST TRAINING FOR SORGHUM FARMERS

*SLBL Launches Pre-payment And Pre-harvest Training for Sorghum farmers*‼

*By Ranger*

Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) on Wednesday 11th January 2017 launched a Pre-payment and Pre-harvest training program for sorghum farmers in Sierra Leone.

Speaking at the occasion at the company’s Wellington Industrial Estate headquarters, the brewery’s new Managing Director, *Daaf Van Tilburg*, said the day signified a renewed commitment and solidifies *SLBL, HEINEKEN* International and *EUCORD*’s (European Cooperative for Rural Development) demonstrated commitment to growing with the country and partnering with key stakeholders for growth and development.

Mr. Tilburg noted that the company’s launching of the 100% sorghum beer in December 2016 was a game changer to ensure that SLBL creates more opportunities for local farmers by increasing the use of sorghum in their production with multiplier effects on farmers and farmers’ incomes; investing in state-of-the-art machine (Mash Filter) which will help SLBL in its endeavors to use more sorghum.

Since the project started in 2005, Mr. Tilburg said SLBL was proud to state that it has significantly improved the livelihoods of over 10, 000 farmers and over 85, 000 farm families all over the country.

He furthered that the pre-payment and pre-harvest program was to deliver in 2017, 1,200 metric tons of sorghum to SLBL; compared to 358 metric tons in 2016, which he said is a huge increase.

To meet the 2017 target, SLBL has already signed and received contracts from 55 nucleus farmers from 12 districts to supply specific quantities of sorghum to brewery.

*“On that note,” Mr. Tilburg announced, “The sum of LE215, 000,000 will be issued today to 17 farmers as pre-payment for their expected deliveries of sorghum to be made to the brewery in 2017.”*

He added that the project will also renew *SLBL*’s to increase per hectare yield through training on improved agronomic practices with Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute *(SLARI).*

The MD designate. He added that *SLBL*’s ambition to nation-building cannot be over emphasized as its their vision to ensure empowerment of local farmers and reinvigoration of the country’s post-Ebola economic recovery.

Mr. Tilburg emphasized that it is *HEINEKEN's* ambition and vision to source at least 60% of its raw materials from within the African continent by 2020.

Through local sourcing, *HEINEKEN* has already improved the livelihoods of more than 100, 000 farmer families across Africa. This fits well into the Local Content Policy of the government’s Agenda for Prosperity.

The program started with the arrival of participants and safety induction. This was followed by breakfast, opening prayers, introduction of the *CREATE* Team and farmers, opening remarks by the Project Coordinator, pre-harvest training by SLARI and quality control and SLBL requirements.

SLBL’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Albert Ojo Collier introduced the new MD and translated a summary of his speech into Krio for the local farmers.

Chairman of the Sierra Leone Sorgum Farmers Association, Denis Jusu who chaired the program spoke on behalf of the sorghum farmers. This was followed by the handing over of cheques to the farmers.
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