TANZANIA – Manyara Sugar Factory, one of Tanzania’s sugar milling companies, has been forced to grind to a halt following severe shortage of sugarcane in the country.
The impact of this situation reaches beyond the factory confines, causing a surge in sugar prices in the region, fluctuating between US$1.59 and US$1.99 per kilo.
Despite Tanzania’s historically documented vulnerability to imported sugar during the March-June period, there was a glimmer of hope in 2023 when only half of the usual 60,000 metric tons were imported, indicating progress towards self-sufficiency.
However, this progress now faces the risk of stalling without prompt intervention.
Understanding the severity of the crisis, Dr. Kijaji issued a rallying cry to farmers in the region, urging them to intensify sugarcane cultivation.
Magugu Ward in Babati District, a crucial sugarcane-growing area, received special attention, with plans for prioritized well drilling to address water scarcity—a persistent challenge for farmers.
In addition to immediate measures, Kijaji emphasized the need for long-term solutions, urging the factory to develop a comprehensive plan for large-scale water reservoirs. This strategic move aims to free farmers from reliance on unpredictable rainfall patterns.
However, the factory management, while acknowledging challenges, pointed to insufficient raw materials and the difficulty in convincing farmers to adopt sugarcane farming.
The existing inadequate infrastructure, requiring the factory to bear the burden of road repairs for cane transportation, further compounds the challenges ahead.
Meanwhile the government has authorised the importation of 50,000 tonnes of sugar as part of efforts to address shortages of the commodity.
The government has asked manufacturers to resume production following easing of heavy rains, which forced almost all major producers to suspend production for about two months.
The government has also increased access to improved sugarcane seeds through a collaboration of SBT and the Tanzania Agriculture Research Institute (TARI). The two entities are expected to stablish a 400-hectare sugarcane nursery on the Kilombero River Basin.
SBT has also improved implementation of modern sugarcane farming regulations, including those on harvesting and processing.
While addressing a meeting of domestic investors recently, Agriculture minister Hussein Bashe said the ongoing expansion of the sugar industry would make Tanzania a sugar exporter in the next few years.
“Our aim is to reduce sugar imports to zero by 2025,” he said.
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