Part 2 - Cane H...

Scope: Part 2 of the Kenya Standard KS 2977, titled "Cane Harvesting, Processing, and Trade," provides comprehensive guidelines for all activities related to harvesting sugarcane, processing it into sugar and its by-products, and trading these products. The standard aims to ensure that these activities are conducted in a manner that promotes food safety, quality, worker safety, and environmental sustainability. This part of the standard applies to all stakeholders in the sugar value chain, including harvesters, transporters, millers, traders, and relevant government agencies.

Key Areas Covered:

1. Cane Harvesting:

   • Harvesting Procedures: The guidelines provide detailed instructions on the proper procedures for harvesting mature sugarcane. These include recommendations to harvest cane at the optimal age as per varietal specifications to maximize sugar yield and quality. Harvesting should be planned according to the factory milling capacity to ensure a steady supply of cane for processing.
   • Quality and Hygiene: Emphasis is placed on maintaining high standards of hygiene during harvesting to prevent contamination of the cane. Cane should be harvested green when possible, cut at the base, and topped appropriately to ensure clean, fresh cane free from soil, pests, and diseases.
   • Handling and Equipment: The standard recommends using well-maintained, food-grade harvesting equipment to reduce contamination and damage to the cane. It discourages burning of cane except in specific, controlled situations where it is necessary to manage pests or where mechanical harvesting is impractical.

2. Transportation and Weighment:

   • Timely Transportation: To maintain the quality of the harvested cane, the guidelines stipulate that cane should be transported to the mill within 24 hours of harvesting. This minimizes deterioration and loss of sugar content.
   • Transport Standards: The standard outlines requirements for the mode of transport and equipment used, emphasizing the need for efficient, reliable, and safe transportation methods that prevent cane spillage and reduce transport costs. Transport vehicles should be designed to maximize payload and minimize damage to the cane during transit.
   • Weighment and Off-loading: Guidelines specify that cane weighment should be conducted at designated weighbridges with calibrated equipment to ensure accuracy and transparency. The process should provide real-time feedback to growers and maintain detailed records of cane weight and quality. Off-loading of cane at the mill should be done on a First In, First Out (FIFO) basis to ensure fairness and efficiency.

3. Cane Quality Assurance:

   • Quality Control: The guidelines stress the importance of maintaining cane quality throughout harvesting, transportation, and delivery. Quality checks should be performed at various stages, and cane should conform to varietal attributes to ensure optimal processing efficiency.
   • Laboratory Testing: Quality testing should be conducted at accredited laboratories to verify that cane meets the required standards for processing. This includes testing for sucrose content, fiber, and other key parameters that influence sugar yield and quality.

4. Processing:

   • Facility Design and Layout: Sugar processing facilities should be designed and located to facilitate efficient operations and minimize environmental impact. The layout should ensure smooth flow of materials, adequate separation of different processing areas to prevent cross-contamination, and easy access for maintenance and cleaning.
   • Hygiene and Safety: The standard mandates strict hygiene practices throughout the processing facility. This includes provisions for hand-washing stations, proper waste disposal, and the use of food-grade materials. Workers should follow strict personal hygiene protocols, and all equipment should be regularly cleaned and sanitized.
   • Process Control: Detailed guidelines are provided for controlling the various stages of sugar processing, from cane crushing and juice extraction to clarification, evaporation, crystallization, and sugar drying. The standard specifies parameters for each process step to ensure consistent quality and maximize efficiency. For example, the limits for bagasse moisture, juice clarity, and final molasses purity are defined to optimize the processing outcomes.
   • Product Control: Emphasis is placed on minimizing risks associated with product damage and ensuring traceability throughout the production process. Finished products should be packaged, stored, and transported in compliance with relevant Kenya standards to maintain their safety and quality. A robust quality control system should be in place to ensure that all products meet the required specifications.

5. Sugar Trade:

   • Local Trade: The guidelines promote fair and competitive trade practices for sugar within the local market. This includes ensuring that distribution networks are accessible nationwide and discouraging restrictive trade practices, such as monopolistic behaviors and price manipulation. All transactions should be based on legitimate contractual agreements to foster trust and transparency in the market.
   • International Trade: For international trade, the standard outlines requirements for importing and exporting sugar, including compliance with relevant international treaties and local regulations. It emphasizes the need for market surveillance to prevent illegal activities such as smuggling, dumping, and counterfeiting, which can undermine the local sugar industry.
   • Repackaging and Rebranding: The standard specifies guidelines for repackaging and rebranding sugar products, ensuring that these activities comply with sugar regulations and packaging standards. This is crucial to maintaining product integrity and consumer trust.

6. Traceability System:

   • Record Keeping and Documentation: The guidelines require the establishment of a traceability system that allows for the tracking of sugar products throughout the value chain. This includes maintaining detailed records of all transactions, including transportation, storage, and distribution. Proper documentation ensures that products can be traced back to their origin in the event of a quality issue or recall.
   • Monitoring and Compliance: Regular monitoring and audits are encouraged to ensure compliance with the guidelines. This includes self-assessments, third-party inspections, and corrective actions to address any non-compliance or areas for improvement.

7. Product Diversification:

   • Encouragement for Diversification: The standard encourages sugar millers to diversify their product offerings beyond traditional sugar products. This includes producing by-products such as molasses, bagasse, ethanol, and other value-added products that can enhance the profitability and sustainability of the sugar industry. Diversification also helps mitigate risks associated with market fluctuations and provides additional revenue streams.

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