Since Alliance One Tobacco ceased operations in Kenya in mid-2015, a growing number of tobacco farmers in Migori county have been switching to sorghum cultivation, according to a story by Scophine Otieno for the Standard Digital, relayed by the TMA.
The move away from tobacco has been made possible because East African Breweries Ltd. (EABL) has been offering a price of 35 shillings (US$0.25) per kilogram of sorghum.
Kuria West’s deputy county commissioner Sebastian Okiring said EABL was filling the void created by the departure of Alliance One, which had been the largest leaf tobacco buyer.
British American Tobacco Kenya and Mastermind Tobacco continued to operate in the region, but on a small scale.
Okiring urged area farmers to embrace sorghum farming on a large scale.
EABL has contracted with farmers in Nyanza to produce sorghum, which is used in the manufacture of its popular drink Senator Keg.
EABL intends to boost sorghum purchases because demand for the discount beer brand has been growing.