Sugar Board calls for cane development investment to curb shortages

The Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) has made an earnest appeal to sugar milers across the country to invest in cane development in order to address the recurrent shortages occasionally experienced.

KSB chairman Nicholas Gumbo noted that a number of millers were not keen on investing on cane development hence causing ripples within the sugar industry.

Gumbo who was addressing sugar millers in Kisumu said that a mild cane shortage being experienced will be addressed by the government, adding that there should be no alarm over the phenomenon since this is not the first time it is taking place.

“The country at the moment has adequate sugar which can satisfy local demand. Millers should adapt to changing times by investing in new machinery and evolving farming techniques, “ he said.

The board chair also said that the government will give subsidized fertilizers to cane farmers adding that the Sugar Act will also address many things within the sub sector, saying that aspects such as research and cane development are all factored in the Act.

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He affirmed that the Kenya Kwanza administration is keen on revitalizing the sector moving forward adding that the Board is also out to revive the sector which has been dogged by a myriad of challenges.

“We want our farmers to stop looking at the crop as just a source of sugar but also to explore other products along the value chain,” he said.

The Board, he added, was exploring the production of biofuel, Industrial alcohol, spirits, briquettes and paper from sugarcane by-products.

“The potential of this sector is huge. We are just scratching the surface. We now want to train farmers in the production of briquettes from bagasse. That way we shall be able to build a climate resilient economy,” he said.

The returns from the diversification, he added, will see the cost of cane production slashed and eventually the cost of sugar in the country coming down.

The enactment of the Sugar Bill, 2022 which saw the return of the Kenya Sugar Board, he said, was a big milestone for the sector.

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He said the board was on course to enact measures to regulate the sector and strengthen production, milling efficiency, cane development, value addition and provide funding to pull the sector out of the doldrums.

KSB Acting Chief Executive Officer Jude Chesire also echoed Gumbo’s remarks by stating that the board was keen to champion various innovations to help drive the sector to the next level.

“We are keen on the various innovations and solutions showcased by the youth during the sugar symposium to help us support our farmers,” he said.

Among the innovations, he said, was the use of drone technology to aid in the sugar census for effective planning of the sector.

The census, which is carried out manually, he said was a tedious exercise, adding that the drone technology which is being piloted will be a game changer in the planning and management of the crop.

He encouraged millers to adopt new technology to enhance their efficiency and come up with new products along the value chain.

By Fredrick Odiero

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