Kwale sugar processing plant set for commissioning

By Philip Mwakio

One of Kenya’s most recent sugar ventures, Kwale International Sugar Company Limited (KISCOL), is on course for commissioning.

Information posted on the firms website indicate that work on the milling factory is on course with several sections of the multi faceted milling plant located at the Old Ramisi Sugar Company in Kwale County fully taking shape and expected to open its doors by June 2014.

The company’s core activities include processing of sugarcane for the production of sugar, ethanol and electricity. With state-of-the art technology including a sub-surface drip-fed irrigation system — the first ever in the local market — KISCOL is saving on 40 per cent of the water needed for growth of the crop.

Cane planting commenced in 2008 and firm expects to harvest 60 tonnes of rain fed cane per hectare and 140 tonnes of irrigated cane per hectare. There are currently 1,200 registered outgrowers who will produce sugarcane on 3,200 hectares of land.

“KISCOL boosts of a 5,500 hectares of cultivated cane, a plant with a capacity of crushing 3,000 tonnes per-day, an 18 megawatt bagasse-fired power plant and a sophisticated irrigation and water management system, resulting in affordable locally grown sugar,’’ the company reckons.  The project, being one of the largest green field projects in Africa, is expected to be fully operational in mid 2014.

 Kiscol is ranked as one of the biggest private investments in the region and is said to have achieved its status of financial close in a record-breaking time with CFC Stanbic and PTA Bank being the lead financiers for the cane project.

The Kiscol project embarked in 2007 as a Pabari Investment Limited flagship project, a family owned Investment Company formed in the 1950s with initial core business being distribution of food products to Kenya and the regional markets.

The Pabari Family owns 75 per cent stake in the venture, while Omnicane Ltd, a sugar miller listed in the Mauritius Stock Exchange, owning the remaining 25 per cent stake.

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