New beer offers opportunities for subsistence farmers in Mozambique

The beer is reportedly the first commercial-scale cassava-based beer, using 70% cassava and is the result of several years of research to overcome the challenges of processing and brewing with cassava, which grows widely across Africa. It will be brewed at the Nampula brewery in the north of the country.

Preserving cassava for brewing

Mozambican farmers potentially produce more cassava than is required for domestic consumption, but the surplus has never been used to brew beer because of the logistical challenge of collecting the roots from smallholder farmers, who are widely dispersed, along with its rapid deterioration immediately after harvesting. Cassava is an excellent source of starch, but starts to degrade almost immediately after it is harvested, which, together with its high water content, makes it unsuitable for transporting over long distances.

SABMiller has partnered with DADTCO (Dutch Agricultural Development and Trading Company), which has pioneered an innovative solution in the form of a mobile processing unit (AMPU), which travels to the cassava growing regions and processes the root in situ, preserving the integrity of the starch.

Improving subsistence farming

Mark Bowman, MD of SABMiller Africa, said, "We estimate that the volume of the informal, unregulated alcohol market across Africa could be up to four times that of the formal market. By using locally sourced raw materials, we are able to create high quality, affordable products for consumers who would otherwise be drinking informal or illicit alcohol.

"At the same time, Africa's agricultural potential is enormous, but currently under-exploited. The private sector has a critical role to play. By creating market opportunities for subsistence farmers in our value chain, we are able to increase their productivity allowing them to feed their families and generate an income for the first time." Agriculture makes up 31.5% of Mozambique's GDP (2009, World Bank Data).

Peter Bolt, MD of DADTCO added, "The rural regions we are targeting are extremely poor and the farmers have previously struggled to sell more than a bag of cassava every two weeks. By creating a sustainable, vibrant market for their crops, buying from them direct and helping them to improve their yields, there is no doubt that this project will have a significant impact on their lives and the local economy."

Approximately 40,000 tonnes of raw cassava will be used annually in the production of Impala, creating new employment for over 1500 smallholder farmers and their families. DADTCO will manage the cassava production value chain and the agricultural extension services will be provided by IFDC, a public international organization assisting farmers across Africa. It is helping these subsistence farmers by transferring technology and knowledge of agricultural best practices so they can increase the productivity of their land, grow more cassava and increase their incomes. The public-private partnership between DADTCO and IFDC is supported by funding from the Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS) of the Netherlands.

Reduced excise rate to support local economy, marketing to promote responsible drinking

In recognition of the potential long-term contribution that the brand will make to agricultural and economic development the country, the Mozambiquean government has agreed a reduced excise rate for Impala. This, along with the reduced input costs provided by the use of locally grown cassava, allows the brand to be sold at a price point equal to 70% of mainstream lager. The average per capita consumption of beer in Mozambique is around 8 litres per year, compared to 60 litres in South Africa.

SABMiller is committed to promoting responsible drinking and seeks to work with governments, NGOs and other stakeholders to address the harm caused by the minority of people who drink to excess, drink while under age, or drink and drive. By creating an affordable, regulated, high-quality beer the company is providing consumers with an alternative to illicit alcohol, and is better placed to deliver the responsible consumption messages and accurate product information, which are a part of its commitment to responsible marketing.

The project is part of 'Farming Better Futures', which encompasses the group's agricultural programmes across Africa, involves countries such as Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia and includes sorghum and barley farmers.