Nigeria: Government urged to prioritize sorghum cultivation to reduce reliance on imported barley

A Professor of Brewing Science and Technology at the University of Uyo, Augustine Chima Ogbonna, has urged the federal government to prioritise the cultivation of sorghum seeds to reduce the country’s reliance on imported barley for beer production, Blueprint reported on July 1.

Prof. Ogbonna, a specialist in malting technology and brewing enzymology, disclosed this during the university’s 102nd inaugural lecture, titled: ‘From Barley to Sorghum: A Paradigm Shift for the Nigerian Brewing Industry”, held at the UNIUYO permanent campus, Uyo on July 1.

He emphasised the need for consistent policies that promote the use of local raw materials in beer brewing.

The don, who was the inaugural lecturer, suggested that the government should develop a sorghum breed that can replace imported barley and enact a supportive national agricultural policy to ensure widespread utilisation of high-yield sorghum hybrid seeds by local farmers.

He said, “The Nigerian Government must stop policy reversals but concentrate efforts at developing a sorghum breed that would be capable of replacing imported barley as the main ingredient for beer production in the country.

“The Nigerian Government must be consistent with policies that will promote and encourage the cultivation of local raw materials for beer brewing to enable breweries operating in the country increase the use of such local material in their beer production.

“Government should enact a supportive and effective National Agricultural policy to ensure a compulsory, widespread and proper utilisation by the local farmers, of high yield sorghum hybrid seeds that would be developed through researches funded by the brewing companies in Nigeria.”

Prof Ogbonna highlighted the health benefits of moderate beer consumption, citing its protective effects against stomach ulcers and bone fractures.

He also noted that the scriptures support moderate alcohol consumption, with wine and beer mentioned frequently in the Bible.

The academic lamented Nigeria’s economic instability, which has impacted multinational corporations, including the Nigerian Breweries Plc.

He recommended that the university, corporate organisations, or individuals should establish a standard brewing science and technology laboratory to make the University of Uyo a center of brewing excellence in Nigeria.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Nyaudoh Ndayo, commended Prof Ogbonna for his research and expressed the hope that the university could produce its own beer, in addition to Uniuyo Water.

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