Factors affecting traditional beer production in Rwanda: A case study of banana and sorghum brews

The present study aimed to investigate factors influencing the production of traditional beers, such as Urwagwa and Ikigage, in Rwanda. It was conducted across four districts, namely Gicumbi, Gisagara, Kirehe, and Rusizi, each located in one of the four rural provinces of Rwanda.
The study used the data collected for the diagnostic study conducted in 2023 on 132 producers and applied a logistic regression model. The results revealed the production of traditional beers is first and foremost influenced by economic and institutional factors rather than sociodemographic except for gender. Among the economic factors, availability of raw materials, access to financial services and land ownership are primary and most sensitive determinants to the production of the traditional beers in Rwanda while, institutionally, access to information and cooperative membership are also of the utmost of importance in the sector of the traditional beer brewing. The study on traditional beer brewing in Rwanda suggests also various policy implications to promote the production of traditional beers production, especially in rural areas.
Key recommendations include supporting beer banana and sorghum cultivation to improve the availability of raw materials, reducing gender disparities, enhancing market information and financial services for producers, and establishing a regulatory framework to address quality standards and environmental concerns.