The largest brewing company in Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries Plc, has confirmed the successful cultivation of locally grown barley in efforts to reduce the nation’s reliance on imported malted barley. 

Showcasing the progress during its Maltina Barley Field Day in Ringim, Jigawa State, the company presented results from the pilot phase of the Maltina Barley Programme. 

This initiative is specifically designed to develop a sustainable domestic barley industry while creating economic opportunities for smallholder farmers across Northern Nigeria. 

Currently, the country imports approximately 200,000 tonnes of malted barley annually, a figure the project aims to diminish through local sourcing.

The pilot phase involved over 1,000 smallholder farmers this season, with a projected output exceeding 1,000 tonnes. 

Participants received high-quality seeds, fertilisers, and mechanised services through partnerships with OCP Africa and Hello Tractor, with Nigerian Breweries guaranteeing off-take for the harvested crops. 

The success of the project stems from extensive research conducted alongside the Lake Chad Research Institute and French breeder Secobra Research, which led to the official 2024 registration of three high-yield, climate-adapted varieties: Traveller, Explorer, and Prunella.

Despite the proven agronomic feasibility, Managing Director Thibaut Boidin emphasised that large-scale commercial success remains a “marathon, not a sprint.” 

He noted that while more than 400,000 hectares of suitable land have been identified across five states, expansion will require significant government investment in irrigation, mechanisation, and extension support. 

The project has already secured £330,000 in climate-smart funding from the UK-funded Propcom+ initiative for the 2026 season, supporting the company’s long-term strategy to integrate 20,000 farmers into the value chain by 2030.

Source: Leadership News
Image Credit: Raw Material 360