Kilombero sugar to double output

MOROGORO: THE Kilombero Sugar expansion project, backed by a 732bn/- investment, is set to double production capacity by mid-year.

The K4 Mills project in Morogoro Region, now 95 per cent complete, is set to increase output significantly, helping reduce the country’s sugar deficit.

Kilombero Sugar Managing Director Guy Williams told Parliamentary Committee on Industry, Trade, Agriculture and Livestock yesterday that the project is expected to double sugar production from 127,000 to 271,000 tonnes.

He added that the expansion will create additional jobs across the value chain, with 60 per cent of the total cane crushed at the K4 mills coming from out growers, while the remaining 40 per cent will be sourced from the company’s estate farms.

The Committee’s Chairman, Mr Deodatus Mwanyika, said during the visit that the focus was on strategic investments to ensure the investment environment, policies and governance align with the goals outlined in the country’s Vision 2025.

“This is a great example of a productive investment that will drive national economic growth and improve the livelihoods of sugarcane farmers, while also addressing the sugar deficit in the country,” he said.

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Mr Mwanyika hailed Kilombero Sugar for its contributions to strengthening the industrial and agricultural sectors in the country.

Kilombero Sugar’s Chairman, Amb Ami Mpungwe said the visit means a great deal to the sugar producer and the 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.”

The project will also enhance energy production, supplying up to 10MW of electricity to the national grid, while reducing the production week season from 42 weeks to 32 weeks to optimise rainfall periods.

Additionally, grower cane supply will increase from 600,000 to 1,500,000 tonnes.

Furthermore, the Regional Commissioner for Morogoro, Mr Adam Malima said they have a responsibility to continue enhancing and protecting investments for strategic national development.