Sh2.8bn Kericho Sugar Mill Set to Revolutionize Kenya’s Sugar Industry
West Valley Sugar Company Limited, a subsidiary of Kipchimchim Group of Companies, is set to begin trial runs in August ahead of its official commissioning in October. The company, which is investing Sh2.8 billion in the sugar mill, plans to crush 1,250 tonnes of sugarcane per day, with a view to increasing this capacity to 2,500 tonnes. The mill, which is located in Kapkormom, Soin-Sigowet constituency, will cover Soin-Sigowet, Ainamoi, Kipkelion, Tinderet, Muhoroni and Nyando sugar belts.
According to Bernard Soi, the managing director of West Valley Sugar Company Limited, the company has entered into agreements with more than 6,000 small-scale out-grower farmers who will be provided with land preparation, extension services, seed canes and fertilisers, among other services. The company has also embarked on a cane development exercise in its 1,000 acres of nucleus land, out of the total 1,500 acres at its disposal.
The development of West Valley Sugar Company Limited has already inspired the confidence of farmers who had abandoned sugarcane for other alternatives, according to Charles Sigei, a farmer from Kericho. West Valley Sugar Company Limited, a subsidiary of Kipchimchim Group of Companies, is set to begin trial runs in August ahead of its official commissioning in October. The company, which is investing Sh2.8 billion in the sugar mill, plans to crush 1,250 tonnes of sugarcane per day, with a view to increasing this capacity to 2,500 tonnes. The mill, which is located in Kapkormom, Soin-Sigowet constituency, will cover Soin-Sigowet, Ainamoi, Kipkelion, Tinderet, Muhoroni and Nyando sugar belts.
According to Bernard Soi, the managing director of West Valley Sugar Company Limited, the company has entered into agreements with more than 6,000 small-scale out-grower farmers who will be provided with land preparation, extension services, seed canes and fertilisers, among other services. The company has also embarked on a cane development exercise in its 1,000 acres of nucleus land, out of the total 1,500 acres at its disposal.
The development of West Valley Sugar Company Limited has already inspired the confidence of farmers who had abandoned sugarcane for other alternatives, according to Charles Sigei, a farmer from Kericho. He said that the farmers in the region will now earn more due to reduced cost in transporting the canes to far-off mills.
Furthermore, the sugar mill is set to offer over 1,000 direct employment opportunities and 6,000 other indirect jobs to both locals and non-locals. The company will also use excess bagasse in the manufacture of chipboards and briquettes for use in firing boilers in the neighbouring tea factories.
The Kenya National Sugarcane Growers Association (KESGA) Secretary General Richard Ogendo has noted that the move will in no way inconvenience Muhoroni Sugar, which was built to support out-grower farmers in seven schemes within and around the factory. Ogendo said that the cane around West Valley Sugar Company is an area referred to as sugar belt cooperative union and the inhabitants of this area have progressively increased area under cane up to Kapsoit centre.
West Valley Sugar Company Limited is set to become a significant player in the sugar industry in Kenya, providing much-needed employment opportunities and reducing the costs associated with transporting sugarcane over long distances.
Furthermore, the sugar mill is set to offer over 1,000 direct employment opportunities and 6,000 other indirect jobs to both locals and non-locals. Excess bagasse will also be used to make chipboards and briquettes for use in firing boilers in neighboring tea factories.
The Kenya National Sugarcane Growers Association (KESGA) Secretary General Richard Ogendo has noted that the move will in no way inconvenience Muhoroni Sugar, which was built to support out-grower farmers in seven schemes within and around the factory. According to Ogendo, the cane surrounding West Valley Sugar Company is part of the sugar belt cooperative union, and the residents of this area have gradually increased the area under cane up to the Kapsoit center.
West Valley Sugar Company Limited is set to become a significant player in the sugar industry in Kenya, providing much-needed employment opportunities and reducing the costs associated with transporting sugarcane over long distances.
