Bunge Committee: Kilombero Sugar expansion project to drive economic growth
MOROGORO: The Parliamentary Committee on Industry, Trade, Agriculture, and Livestock stated yesterday that the Kilombero Sugar factory expansion is a productive investment that will boost economic growth and improve the livelihoods of sugarcane farmers.
The Committee’s Chairman, Deodatus Mwanyika, made the statement during their visit to observe the Kilombero Sugar K4 factory expansion project in Morogoro.
“This is a great example of a productive investment that will drive national economic growth, improve the livelihoods of sugarcane farmers, and address the sugar deficit in the country,” he said.
He explained that the purpose of the visit was to witness this strategic investment in the mega sugar factory, which aims to support Tanzania’s vision of self-sufficiency in sugar production and create greater market opportunities for cane growers in the Kilombero Valley.
He noted that this significant visit is part of the ongoing efforts by the Tanzanian government and Parliament to focus on strategic investments and ensure that the investment environment, policies, and governance support the implementation of these investments, as outlined in the country’s Vision 2025.
Mr. Mwanyika commended Kilombero Sugar Company for its contributions to strengthening both the industrial and agricultural sectors in the country.
Kilombero Sugar Company’s Chairman, Ambassador Ami Mpungwe, said, “We are honored to host the members of the Parliamentary Committee, the Morogoro regional delegation, and Kilombero district representatives. Your visit means a great deal to us and our strategic investment in this expansion project. This historic investment in the sugar industry, and one of its kind in Eastern and Central Africa, underscores our commitment as a business toward the country’s vision of self-sufficiency in sugar by 2025.”
Kilombero Sugar’s Managing Director, Guy Williams, during a business briefing session, highlighted that the project is expected to commence in the middle of this year, with current progress at 95 percent.
Mr. Williams noted that the project will create additional jobs within the value chain, with 60 percent of the total cane crushed at the K4 mills coming from Kilombero growers’ community and the remaining 40 percent sourced from the company’s estate farms.
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The K4 factory expansion project, valued at 732 billion shillings, is expected to double sugar production from 127,000 tonnes to 271,000 tonnes, significantly reducing the sugar deficit. Additionally, grower cane supply will increase from 600,000 tonnes to 1,500,000 tonnes.
The project will also enhance energy production, supplying up to 10 MW of electricity to the national grid, while reducing the production season from 42 weeks to 32 weeks to optimize rainfall periods.
Furthermore, the Regional Commissioner for Morogoro, Mr. Adam Malima, commended the strategic investment in the sugar industry within the Morogoro region, emphasizing that the region contributes significantly to the country’s sugar production.
He stated that the government has a responsibility to continue enhancing and protecting investments for strategic national development.
Kilombero Sugar Company remains committed to working closely with the government and other stakeholders to ensure the timely completion of the K4 expansion project and its long-term benefits for the nation.
