MOROGORO: TANZANIA has set a target of becoming 100 per cent self-sufficient in sugar production by 2028, with surplus sugar to be exported.
This was stated today by two ministers of the e United Republic of Tanzania; the Minister of State, President’s Office for Planning and Investment, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, and the Minister of Agriculture, Daniel Chongolo, who visited the Mkulazi Sugar Factory in Morogoro region.
The ministers have instructed the factory to continue producing white industrial sugar to reduce dependence on imports.
Speaking to the factory management after receiving the production report, the ministers expressed satisfaction with the investment and management of the factory, emphasizing the importance of increasing the production of white industrial sugar, which Tanzania currently imports 100 percent from abroad.
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Prof. Kitila said the country currently imports approximately 300,000 tons of industrial sugar annually, a situation that results in significant foreign exchange expenditure.
“The establishment of industrial white sugar production here in Mkulazi is a major step in reducing that dependency,” he said.
He added that the sugar market in Africa is estimated to have a demand of more than 12 million tons, so Tanzania has a great opportunity to benefit economically if production increases.
For his part, Agriculture Minister Daniel Chongolo said Mkulazi’s decision to start producing industrial white sugar is an important step in strengthening the industrial and agricultural sectors.
He called on investors, including social security institutions like NSSF, to continue investing in sugar factories due to the huge opportunity available in the demand for the product both locally and abroad.
For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Mkulazi Sugar Factory, Selestine Some, said Mkulazi is the only factory in the country currently producing industrial white sugar, in implementation of the instructions given by President Samia Suluhu Hassan during the launch of the factory.
He said that after conducting production trials this season, next season, and the factory will increase production to significantly reduce the import of industrial sugar from abroad.
Some added that the factory is providing an opportunity for foreign farmers to sell sugarcane as raw material.
” For this year, farmers are expected to cultivate 1,717 hectares, of which 1,384 hectares have already been cultivated, and they hope to achieve that goal next season.
In addition, he said the quality of the sugar produced has made it popular with consumers, while emphasizing that the factory has also succeeded in producing local professionals who will manage the production of industrial white sugar effectively.