Kilombero Sugar targets 1.5m tonnes from farmers

DODOMA: KILOMBERO Sugar is expanding production to meet rising domestic demand, targeting about 1.5 million tonnes of sugarcane from out grower farmers worth more than 150bn/- as the country pushes for greater sugar self-sufficiency.

Kilombero Sugar Corporate Affairs and Communications Director, Mr Derick Stanley, said the company was working with outgrower farmers to increase cane production while expanding its processing capacity in line with Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050.

“We are continuing to invest in expanding production capacity and building the long-term resilience of Tanzania’s sugar industry. These investments are not only about producing more sugar; they are about strengthening the entire value chain, creating greater opportunities for farmers and supporting Tanzania’s industrial development,” Mr Stanley said.

The expansion comes as the government seeks to increase agricultural productivity, widen markets for local producers and reduce reliance on imported sugar. The company’s K4 factory is expected to play a key role in increasing domestic sugar production, while also creating opportunities for farmers, businesses and communities across the sugarcane value chain.

Kilombero Sugar Corporate Affairs and Stakeholder Relations Manager, Mr Victor Byemelwa, said the K4 investment marked a major milestone in the company’s growth and would significantly boost sugar production.

“The K4 investment represents a major step forward in strengthening Tanzania’s domestic sugar production. Beyond increasing sugar output, it is creating greater opportunities for sugarcane farmers, employment, businesses and communities across the wider value chain,” Mr Byemelwa said.

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He said the investment could also increase electricity generation from sugarcane by-products, contributing to Tanzania’s energy supply and strengthening the company’s contribution to the national grid. Mr Byemelwa urged Tanzanians, particularly farmers, to take advantage of opportunities created by the investment by participating in sugarcane farming and related valuechain activities.

He said expansion of the sugar industry could increase household incomes, create employment and stimulate economic activity in surrounding communities.

Meanwhile, Kilombero Sugar Commercial Director, Mr Fimbo Butala, said the company was using the Nane Nane Agricultural Exhibition in Dodoma to engage farmers, consumers and other stakeholders on sugar production, sugarcane farming and opportunities across the value chain.

He said the exhibition provided an important platform to understand stakeholders’ priorities and strengthen partnerships aimed at increasing productivity and creating greater value across the agricultural value chain.

The company’s expansion is expected to strengthen linkages between farmers and industrial processing while supporting Tanzania’s broader efforts to expand domestic production and develop a more resilient sugar industry.