INTRODUCTION
With the newly proposed quality based sugarcane payment system regulations, it is clear that we are closer to realizing an improved payment system for Kenyan sugarcane farmers. This system will not only benefit the farmers but will also transform the entire sugar industry by ensuring more efficient milling processes and maximizing sugar recovery. It will also allow farmers to increase their earnings, ultimately boosting the sugar industry in Kenya and addressing issues such as the over-reliance on sugar importation.
This report focuses on the August 2024 data collected across all regions in the country. Both NIR (Near-Infrared) and wet chemistry data were analyzed, but the report specifically emphasizes NIR data due to its critical role in the transition to the new payment model.
ANALYZED PARAMETERS
- Pol: The sucrose content in the cane juice
- Brix: Total soluble solids in the cane juice
- Moisture: The amount of water present in the cane at the time of analysis
- Fiber: Non-sucrose organic material in the cane
It is important to note that these parameters may be influenced by various factors, including harvesting practices, transportation, and weather conditions, which can impact the results either positively or negatively.
A total of 851 samples were analyzed across all regions for the reporting month. The regions are represented by the Cane Testing Units (CTUs) as follows:
- Western Region: [Butali CTU, Nzoia CTU, Mumias CTU, and West Kenya CTU]
- Nyanza Region: [Kibos CTU, Chemelil CTU, and Muhoroni CTU]
- South Nyanza Region: [Sony CTU, Transmara CTU, and Sukari CTU]
- Coast Region: [Kwale CTU]
The table below presents average data from the samples analyzed across the country during the reporting month of August 2024:
|
Region |
Pol% |
Brix% |
Moisture% |
Fiber% |
Purity% |
|
Western |
11.78 |
13.76 |
68.31 |
17.93 |
87.99 |
|
Nyanza |
11.73 |
14.67 |
67.88 |
17.78 |
81.73 |
|
South Nyanza |
12.69 |
15.30 |
67.16 |
17.54 |
82.87 |
|
Coast |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
CHALLENGES
- The Coast Region was unable to report data due to factory closures caused by a shortage of cane and inability of the mill capacity to run throughout the year.
- Some CTUs could not report data due to unavoidable constraints with the mills.
- Some analyzed samples contained significant amounts of extraneous material, such as trash and mud.
- Delays in cane deliveries, particularly in Western regions, due to fields being located far from the mills.
- Deliveries during the rainy season led to muddy and wet samples, which affected the quality of the analysis.
- Prolonged factory breakdowns significantly affected the number of samples analyzed during the reporting month.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Improve Cane Transportation Logistics: Address logistical challenges in cane delivery, particularly in remote fields, to minimize delays and ensure timely processing.
- Optimize Harvesting Practices: Encourage better harvesting techniques to minimize the inclusion of extraneous materials such as mud and trash in the cane. This will improve sample purity and analysis accuracy.
- Develop Mitigation Strategies for Rainy Seasons: Implement measures to manage the impact of rain on cane deliveries, including better field drainage and proper packaging to reduce moisture content in the samples.
- Strengthen Mill Infrastructure: Invest in regular maintenance and upgrades of mills to reduce the frequency and duration of factory breakdowns. This will allow for continuous testing and processing, ensuring timely and efficient cane analysis.
- Expand Cane Sourcing: To prevent shortages in regions like the Coast and other regions, efforts should be made to expand cane cultivation or create strategic partnerships with nearby suppliers to maintain consistent operations.
- Establishment of a competitive mill in the coast region: this will help with continuous milling within the region and avoid wastage of already matured cane in the coast region.
The data from August 2024 highlights both the potential and challenges within the Kenyan sugar industry. While regions like South Nyanza are performing well, others, such as the Coast, are facing significant setbacks due to cane shortages and mill breakdowns. Addressing these challenges through improved transportation, better harvesting practices, and infrastructure upgrades will be critical to realizing the full benefits of the proposed cane testing services and the new payment system.
Prepared by: Etherly Barasa of AFA Sugar Directorate's Nzoia CTU