Sugarcane farmers in Kericho county are a happy lot following the opening of West Valley Sugar Company in Soin Sigowet Sub county.
The company’s Managing Director Bernard Soi revealed that the company has so far registered 3,500 farmers who will supply their cane produce to the facility.
“Our field officers have visited and interacted with cane farmers in the production areas of Soin- Sigowet, Ainamoi and Tinderet in Nandi County,” he said.
He said the new Ksh3.5 billion factory will process 1250 tonnes of sugar daily and produce 2,500 bags when in full capacity and encouraged farmers from the surrounding areas to grow more cane and supply to the facility.
“Kindly increase your acreage of cane plantations so as to satisfy the mill company which uses new technology that automatically increases efficiency in production which in turn increases returns,” he appealed to the farmers.
Soi revealed that the factory will provide cane seedlings and fertilizers to farmers who will be registered with them and that initially, their target is to employ 1,000 people, a number which will increase to 1,500 once the company is fully operational.
The company’s chairman Alfred Soi said the company will produce three megawatts of power for production and the excess power will be used to power streetlights in the surrounding area.
He said the company has identified schools it will assist through the construction of classrooms, toilets and other infrastructure as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
Kericho county Governor Dr. Erick Bett said the company will greatly boost the economy of the sub county and the county at large.
He revealed that the county has employed 30 Agricultural Extension Service officers and plans are underway to post those with expertise on cane production to the vicinity of the factory to assist farmers in the cultivation of the cash crop.
“The county government will support the growth of the factory,” he said, revealing that he would develop feeder roads in the cane production areas to facilitate easier transportation of the crop to the factor.
Senator Aaron Cheruiyot thanked the investors for coming up and actualizing the idea.
Soin-Sigowet MP Justice Kemei applauded the investors for choosing the constituency which is a big cane producer.
He assured the new investors of a ready supply of the commodity and urged local farmers to increase the cultivation of the crop.
Ainamoi MP Benjamin Langat said the establishment of the factory was long overdue and will be a game changer in Ainamoi and Soin-Sigowet constituencies and the neighbouring Nandi and Nyanza counties.
He promised unity and urgency in the development of road networks from far flung farms to the facility.
By Correspondent
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