KENYA – Kwale International Sugar Company (KISCOL), part of the larger Pabari Group of Companies, has invested in modern technology to increase its crushing capacity and plans to extend its operation period to 11 months next year.
The miller recently introduced new sugarcane varieties from Australia, Brazil, and South America to significantly improve yields for farmers.
According to David Ndirangu, chairman of the Kwale Sugarcane Out-growers Association, advanced irrigation systems have extended their production window and reduced reliance on rain-fed agriculture.
KISCOL’s nucleus farms are equipped with extensive drip irrigation systems that ensure faster maturity and a continuous supply of cane to the factory throughout the year.
“With more months of crushing, I know our harvests will be processed, and we will have a steady market for our cane,” Mr. Ndirangu said.
He noted that outgrowers have increased their land under sugarcane from 2,683 hectares three years ago to 4,686 hectares last year.
The introduction of new sugarcane varieties is expected to enhance yields to an average of 110 tonnes per hectare, boosting farmers’ income.
Ndirangu said that the improved yields, coupled with higher sucrose levels in the cane, translate to better sugar recovery rates during processing, reducing losses.
KISCOL resumed milling earlier this year after a 20-month closure that heavily affected cash crop farmers.
In April 2022, KISCOL sued the government, seeking damages of US$277.66 million (Sh36.92 billion) for breach of statutory and contractual duties over its lease of land in the Kwale region.
It accused the government of failing to provide full, unhindered, and peaceful possession of the leased area. KISCOL, which began operations in 2015, occupies 15,000 acres, with 5,000 acres leased from the government and the rest from outgrowers.
The miller is 80% owned by the Pabari Group and 20% by Omnicane Limited, the largest sugar factory in Mauritius. Agricultural Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja revealed that the government has an ambitious strategy to export excess sugar once all 17 sugar millers become functional.
He expressed confidence that leasing the five state-owned mills to private investors will further revitalize the country’s sugar production capacity and put Kenyan brands on the competitive global stage.
Parliament recently enacted the Sugar Act 2024, which has now come into effect. The new legislation aims to reshape the sugar sector by establishing two key institutions: the Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) and the Kenya Sugar Research and Training Institute (KSR&TI).
These institutions will regulate and oversee the sugar industry, a responsibility previously handled by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA).
The Kenya Sugar Board will now manage the sugar industry, while the Kenya Sugar Research and Training Institute will focus on sugar-related research, a function previously under the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KARLO).
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