One of the country’s leading beverage manufacturers has assured the nation they have adequate stocks for sorghum and barley secured from their contract scheme.
According to Delta Corporate Affairs Executive Patricia Murambinda, the company has not imported sorghum and barley since 2000 hence saving scarce foreign currency available on the market.
“Our contract scheme has been successful as it has met the business grain requirements and the desired quality too. It has stood the test of time.
“For sorghum and barley Delta has not imported in the last 25 years hence saving scarce forex resources. Delta has been self-sufficient and secured these brewing grains from the contract scheme.
“As Delta, we offer farmers on the scheme technical services and farmer training and this has resulted in skills improvement, adoption of optimum production practices leading to improved productivity like yield and grain quality resulting in grower viability,” she said.
She added that Delta also supports the farmers with Capital Development Finance for irrigation infrastructure development to build their capacity.
As for seed types, Murambinda said the beverage manufacturer has developed varieties that meet its requirements.
“Delta develops its own barley varieties that are suitable for production locally and are available to farmers on the contract scheme,” she said.
Delta’s BSCFS is a farmer development programme through training and extension support, ensuring accessibility of farming inputs in order to guarantee the future supply of malting sorghum for the business while also guaranteeing a market for the sorghum producers.
Delta Beverages is known for its local and international brands in the opaque and clear beer categories as well as its popular soft drinks.
Meanwhile, Delta Beverages is one of the sponsors for this year’s Zimbabwe Agriculture Media Awards in the Sustainable Agriculture Climate sector. The awards will be held on the 28th of June at the Harare showgrounds.
