OKAHANDJA, 21 APR (NAMPA) – Eagle Lager has officially landed in Namibia.
Brought here by Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), the world’s largest brewer, Eagle Lager is made from locally sourced mahangu grains and is anticipated to stimulate local beer lovers’ fondness for good beer.
Speaking during the launch here on Friday, AB InBev Country Director, Renaud Beauchamp said the new venture will contribute to the commercialisation of mahangu in Namibia.
Beauchamp said besides buying mahangu from communal farmers, they have also collaborated with a local non-governmental organisation to train farmers in techniques that could help double their yield.
Besides sourcing their raw material locally, they also invest in machinery to process the mahangu and employ local people in the production and distribution of the beer.
“We are committed to developing a localised business model that will contribute to increased returns for the farmers,” he said.
Beauchamp further said they hope to double their volumes by 2020, which would help to transform subsistence farmers into viable commercial operators.
“We are already doing this in a number of African countries and we call this smart agriculture,” he said.
On this part Minister of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development, Tjekero Tweya said this investment will contribute to the development of not only northern communal farmers, but will also benefit the entire agricultural sector and Namibia’s economy.
He stressed that mahangu is mostly used for household consumption and very little is commercialised.
“ An opportunity has arisen, we expect even subsistence farmers to commercialise mahangu and make it a key ingredient of the beer,” Tweya said.
The minister further cautioned the public to consume alcohol responsibly as it could have a negative impact on families and communities.
(NAMPA)
LP/AS