Manyara sugar factory suspends production as cane shortage bites

Dar es Salaam.  Dreams of locally-produced sugar have turned bitter in Manyara, as the region's sugar factory grinds to a halt due to a crippling shortage of sugarcane.

 Industry and Trade Minister Dr. Ashatu Kijaji's recent visit to the factory laid bare the stark reality: a facility capable of churning out over 50 tons of sugar daily stands silent, a victim of a wilting sugarcane supply.

The consequences are far-reaching. Sugar prices in the region have skyrocketed, hovering between Sh3,500 and Sh4,000 per kilo.

This pain is felt not just by consumers but also by the factory itself, forced to suspend operations and watch helplessly as its potential goes unrealized.

Tanzania's dependence on imported sugar during the March-June period is well documented, highlighting a recurring vulnerability.

However, 2023 saw a glimmer of hope with only half of the usual 60,000 metric tons imported, suggesting progress towards self-sufficiency. This progress risks stalling without urgent action.

Dr Kijaji, recognizing the gravity of the situation, issued a clarion call to farmers in the region to ramp up sugarcane cultivation.

Magugu Ward in Babati District, a key sugarcane-growing area, received specific attention, with plans for prioritised well drilling to combat water scarcity, a persistent hurdle for farmers.

The need for long-term solutions was also emphasized. Kijaji urged the factory to develop a plan for large-scale water reservoirs, a crucial step towards freeing farmers from dependence on unpredictable rainfall.

The factory management, acknowledging the challenges, cited insufficient raw materials and the difficulty in convincing farmers to embrace sugarcane farming. Inadequate infrastructure, forcing the factory to shoulder the burden of road repairs for cane transportation, further compounded the woes.

Lazaro Twange, the acting regional commissioner, pledged unwavering support in addressing these challenges and implementing government initiatives to boost sugarcane production.