Tanzania is taking significant strides towards self-sufficiency in sugar production, spearheaded by recent developments at the Mtibwa Sugar plantation in Morogoro.
President Samia Suluhu has inaugurated a new irrigation reservoir at the facility, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s agricultural and industrial landscape.
The newly constructed reservoir, spanning 640 hectares with a capacity of 25 million liters, stands as the largest of its kind in East Africa.
This infrastructure development is expected to play a crucial role in expanding Mtibwa Sugar’s sugarcane plantations by an additional 2,400 hectares.
The increased cultivation area is projected to yield 250,000 tons of sugarcane annually, translating into 25,000 tons of sugar production by 2025.
As the project reaches 100% completion, it signals the beginning of enhanced irrigation activities that will significantly boost local sugar output.
The government and stakeholders are keenly focused on addressing the country’s sugar demand, with plans already in place for constructing an even larger reservoir to further support this objective.
Moreover, the Tanzanian Investment Centre’s Executive Director, Dr. Maduhu Kazi, recently visited Mtibwa Sugar to observe the company’s ongoing expansion efforts.
During the visit, Dr. Kazi highlighted the importance of reliable electricity access for the plant, a critical factor for sustaining and increasing production levels.
He assured that the government would engage relevant authorities to resolve the electricity challenges faced by the company, ensuring smooth operations and supporting the national goal of meeting domestic sugar needs.
The ongoing expansion and infrastructural enhancements at Mtibwa Sugar reflect a broader national strategy to bridge the sugar production gap and reduce reliance on imports.
This initiative, under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu, aims to stabilize the sugar market, enhance food security, and support the local economy by promoting domestic production.
As Tanzania moves towards its target of producing 100,000 tons of sugar annually by 2025, these efforts represent a significant step in achieving self-sufficiency and ending sugar shortages in the country.