Project Details

Building the Future of Giritu Sugar Ltd.

1. Pilot Project Overview

The pilot project spans 16 acres, divided into 4 plots of 4 acres each. Each plot is dedicated to testing four distinct sugarcane species to determine the best-performing variety for the region. This systematic approach ensures data-driven decision-making for future large-scale cultivation.

Objective: To identify the most resilient, high-yield, and high-sucrose sugarcane species suited to the Tana River Delta’s unique agro-climatic conditions.
Methodology: Each species is cultivated under identical conditions, with monitoring of growth rates, yield, and sucrose content over a 10-month cycle.
Expected Outcome: The pilot project will provide critical insights to optimize sugarcane production, ensuring maximum productivity and profitability for the main plantation.

2. Irrigation System

Giritu Sugar Ltd employs a state-of-the-art sub-surface irrigation system, ensuring efficient water usage and optimal crop hydration.

Water Supply: A water bowser truck delivers 10,000 litres per trip to two strategically placed water towers, ensuring a consistent water supply across the plantation.
Frequency: The bowser makes three trips daily, providing a total of 30,000 litres of water per day to sustain the sugarcane crop.
Advantages: Sub-surface irrigation minimizes water wastage, reduces evaporation losses, and ensures uniform water distribution, enhancing crop health and yield.

3. Pest and Disease Prevention

To safeguard the sugarcane crop, Giritu Sugar Ltd has implemented robust pest and disease prevention measures:
These measures ensure healthy crop growth, minimize losses, and maintain high-quality sugarcane production

Weeding: Manual weeding is conducted every three months to eliminate weeds that compete for nutrients and water.
Termite Prevention: Proactive measures, such as soil treatment and biological controls, are used to prevent termite infestations, which can damage sugarcane roots.
Caterpillar Prevention: Integrated pest management (IPM) techniques, including the use of natural predators and eco-friendly pesticides, are employed to control caterpillar populations.

4. Future Plans and Expansion

The pilot project lays the foundation for Giritu Sugar Ltd’s large-scale sugarcane plantation and processing plant.

Land Expansion: The current 16-acre pilot project will be scaled up to a 24,000-acre plantation, with the potential to expand by an additional 24,000 acres.
Processing Plant: Plans are underway to establish a modern sugar processing plant, equipped with advanced milling technology and cogeneration capabilities to produce electricity from sugarcane by-products.
Sustainability Goals: Giritu Sugar Ltd is committed to environmental stewardship, incorporating sustainable farming practices and community development initiatives to ensure long-term success.

These measures ensure healthy crop growth, minimize losses, and maintain high-quality sugarcane production.

Conclusion

Giritu Sugar Ltd’s project in the Tana River Delta is a game-changer for Kenya’s sugar industry. By leveraging innovative irrigation systems, robust pest prevention measures, and data-driven pilot testing, the company is poised to deliver unmatched productivity and sustainable profitability. This project not only promises high returns for investors but also contributes to the economic transformation of the Tana River region.

This Project Details Page provides a comprehensive overview of Giritu Sugar Ltd’s initiatives, showcasing its commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability.