Mapping of Malt Barley, Malt and Beer Production Value Chains in Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background and Objective: Ethiopia has suitable diverse agro-ecologies for malt barley production. Different primary actors and support service providers are engaging in the entire value chain starting from input supply to malt barley production and final beer production and marketing. The study focused on mapping of value chain actors under malt barley production, malt and beer production in North Gondar Zone of Amhara Region by identifying the existing challenges and opportunities. Materials and Methods: The data were collected from 4 focus groups, 4 key informants and 10 factory workers. The collected data was qualitative and analyzed through qualitative techniques. Results: Malt barley is the main raw material for beer production. Results revealed that malt and brewery factories are the main driving forces of increasing farmers’ income through malt barley production. Malt barley is the main cash crop for farmers particularly in the highland parts of the country. Malt barley, Gondar malt and Dashen beer production value chain maps well sketched and the role of each primary and supportive actor was indicated. Price fluctuation and lack of improved varieties for farmers, shortage of malt barley and vehicle for malt factory and political interference, negative competitors and lack of inputs including foreign inputs for brewery factory were the main challenges along the entire value chains. Conclusion: Strengthening of interlinkages of the value chains with appropriate support of enablers enhances the efficiency of all actors and this can ensure equitable benefits in the whole value chain.