OnTap Magazine

On Friday, March 3rd, 2023, the South African Breweries hosted the Beer Association of South Africa (BASA), the Minister of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza and the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture to showcase the success achieved on its hop farms, with hops being an essential ingredient in beer. The tour was held in the George region of the Western Cape. The tour included insightful briefings on the harvesting process and the instrumental economic impact of beer agriculture within South Africa. The hops agricultural sector is a critical component of the beer value chain and is a major job creator, particularly in disadvantaged communities.. The industry has also invested around R1 billion into programmes aimed at supporting and developing emerging black hops and barley farmers. This is the first time Minister Didiza joined the tour with the beer industry determined to continue playing a vital role in the country’s agricultural industry. On the agro-processing side, the industry has also invested millions of Rands in the establishment of a number of malting facilities across the country, which employ hundreds of people. BASA fully supports the government's drive to develop agri-processing in the country and is committed to contributing towards job creation and supporting livelihoods through ensuring the sustainability of the industry. BASA CELEBRATES ANNUAL HOPS HARVEST TOUR IN GEORGE, WESTERN CAPE SAB, BASA, Minister of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza and the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture at the SAB hops farm. 8 | Winter 2023 | ontapmag.co.za