- Investors are expanding sugarcane and rice projects at Bura Irrigation Scheme, creating new jobs.
- Sukari Industries has begun seed cane development and plans to build a sugar processing factory.
- Local leaders welcomed the investment, citing jobs and infrastructure development.
Investors at Bura Irrigation Scheme in Tana River County are set to expand jobs after securing leases for large-scale sugarcane and rice farming.
Among the investors is Sukari Industries Limited, which has acquired land through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to establish a sugar production project within the scheme. The company has already begun clearing land and developing seed cane nurseries on part of the more than 40,000 acres allocated for commercial sugarcane farming.
The investment follows the commissioning of the 26-kilometre Bura Gravity Canal earlier this year, which replaced the costly diesel-powered irrigation system with a gravity-fed water supply from Kora. The improved infrastructure paved the way for the government to lease out about 100,000 acres to private investors.
Sukari Industries says the project is expected to create employment for local residents, both on the farms and at a planned sugarcane processing factory, while supporting the government’s efforts to boost food production and create jobs.
“Our objective is to support, complement and supplement governmental efforts in relation to creation of employment, expansion of business opportunities, engagement of the unemployed youth and so on,” said Sukari Industries Head of External Affairs George Mururi.
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Mururi said the company has already cleared about 700 acres for seed cane development, which will later be transplanted across the rest of the land earmarked for cultivation.
“At the moment we have started bush clearing and cleared around 700 acres for seed cane development which will later be transplanted into the other acres. We shall also be considering putting up a crushing facility because we are unable to evacuate those raw materials to any of our factories elsewhere,” he added.
Leaders from the local community have welcomed the investment, expressing optimism that it will generate employment and improve infrastructure in the area.
“We have had a very fruitful engagement with the investor on various issues and as a community, we receive this company so that we start working together. They have promised that there will be enough employment opportunities for our community, together with other infrastructural development,” said Ramadhani Babisana, the leader of the Wailwana community.
Babisana also urged neighbouring communities to support the projects and avoid politicising investments that are expected to spur economic growth and improve livelihoods in the region.
By Jonathan Mwinzi
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