AFRICA thriving local economic development to support market growth .”
Zeroing in on its smart agriculture goal , AB InBev has pledged that 100 % of its direct farmers will soon be skilled , connected and financially-empowered . With this in mind , technology is set to play a key role .
Malt barley is one of the primary ingredients in beer and AB InBev places a high priority on cultivating only the best quality barley for its beer . Aiming to revolutionise the agriculture sector , AB InBev launched its SmartBarley programme in 2013 and today , it plays a pivotal role in its operations in Africa . Leveraging data technology and insights , SmartBarley is helping farmers improve both their productivity and environmental performance . More than 5,000 farmers have participated in SmartBarley so far and the data gathered allows AB InBev to identify and address gaps through a range of agronomic , environmental and management initiatives .
So , for instance , when used in Mexico , SmartBarley showed that some farmers
“ Success for AB InBev goes beyond just the bottom line , but resonates in building communities and ensuring the way in which we live in the world is sustainable ”
— Zoleka Lisa , Procurement Director of Capabilities and Sustainability 17
tended to over apply fertiliser which not only increased costs but had a negative impact on the environment . This data-enabled platform allowed farmers to see this trend first-hand .
“ We are committed to being at the forefront of malting barley research , helping our farmers improve yields and reduce the use of resources like water and fertilizers ,” says Lisa . “ Now we are taking SmartBarley to the next level by using the data to
build sustainability metrics and
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