Kwale sugar firm products to hit supermarket shelves next July
The company’s project director, Mr Harshil Kotecha, said the firm expect to start business in June 2014. Photo/FILE
What you need to know:
- Miller says construction of plant to be completed by June 2014 to pave the way for processing of sugarcane
- The project is also expected to generate 18 megawatts of electricity with 25 per cent being used in the factory, 25 per cent for supply of water to the plant, while the rest would be hooked to the national grid.
Sugar products from the Kwale International Sugar Company Limited (Kiscol) could hit the stores in July next year if all goes according to plan.
The company’s project director, Mr Harshil Kotecha, said the firm expect to start business in June 2014.
He said construction of the milling plant, which began last year, is expected to be completed in June next year, paving the way for processing and introduction of the company’s sugar brand into the market.
The factory, he said, would have a crushing capacity of 3,000 tonnes of sugarcane a day. Adding that when it is fully operational, the mill would have the capacity of producing 720,000 tonnes of sugar a year.
“We expect to start operations in July next year as well as introduce our sugar products into the Kenyan, regional, and international markets,” he noted.
Mr Kotecha said sugarcane takes a year to mature in Kwale due to favourable weather compared to between 18 and 24 months in western Kenya.
The project is also expected to generate 18 megawatts of electricity with 25 per cent being used in the factory, 25 per cent for supply of water to the plant, while the rest would be hooked to the national grid.
OVER 2000 JOBS TO BE CREATED
When fully operational, the company is expected to create over 2,000 jobs to Kenyan youths, with most of the beneficiaries coming from Kwale County.
The company embarked on its green field system of sugarcane growing in 2010 through the cultivation of a 5,000 hectare nucleus estate.
The entire project which is estimated to cost Sh17.1 billion ($200 million) was launched by former president Mwai Kibaki in November 2007.
The Pabari family, through Pabari Investments, undertook the initiative following the collapse of Ramisi sugar factory at Ramisi, Kwale County, in the 1980s. Pabari Investments later sold a 25 per cent stake to Mauritian sugar producer, Omnicane Limited, retaining a 75 per cent share.
The project was partly financed by CFC Stanbic and Preferential Trade Area (PTA) banks.
At the same time, at least 1,200 registered outgrowers have put 4,000 hectares of land under sugarcane.
SEVEN DAMS
Kiscol general manager Jonathan Parkin said the company plans to set up seven dams to boost water supply for irrigation.
He said so far, the company had completed the rehabilitation and construction of four dams while the setting up of a fifth, which will have a capacity of 7.8 million cubic metres, is underway.
Mr Parkin said the company intends to drill 90 boreholes to supplement water supply from the dams.
“Our greenfield system of sugarcane growing is environmental-friendly and helps save 40 per cent of the water requirements for crop growth,” he explained.
In 2007, Kenya leased 15,000 acres of land to the company for the development of a nucleus farm and the construction of the sugar processing plant.
Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya said the project would help create jobs for the youth.
Revival of the sugar project, he added, would give local small-scale farmers a lifeline and help improve the county’s economy.
