DEPUTY Speaker of the National Assembly Mussa Zungu has urged farmers and stakeholders within the sugar industry to invest on modern technology and innovation to boost the commodity production in the country.

Officiating the Kilombero sugarcane farmers day which was held in Kidatu, Kilombero District, Morogoro Region, Zungu called upon famers and stakeholders to invest on acquiring new technology and innovation to improve their yields, work more efficiently, and achieve self-sufficiency.

The Kilombero sugarcane farmers day goes hand in hand with a three days exhibition where sugar cane farmers will have an opportunity to interact with stakeholders within the sector and therefore continue acquiring new ideas which will continue boosting their production.

The exhibitions showcased a wide range of farming equipment, quality seeds, proper fertilizer usage, and various methods for disease and pest control in sugarcane crops.

‘I have learned that this year’s theme—‘Empowering cane farmers through technology and innovation: A path to increase productivity and sugar sufficiency’ also insists on farmers and stakeholders to invest heavily on those areas.

Zungu commended the ongoing Kilombero Sugar factory expansion project urging the factory management to increase sugar supply for the country to be self-sufficient in sugar.

“I am impressed with the progress made on the expansion project. I urge the company to increase its efforts to cover gaps caused by slow progress during the rainy season.

“I’m also impressed with the good relations that Kilombero Sugar has with farmers, stakeholders and the surrounding community as the best way to live. The surrounding community means a lot to your business and therefore I called you to keep maintaining it”, he added.

Speaking about the factory expansion, whose construction has reached over 90 percent, Kilombero Sugar Director of Communications and Public Relations Derick Stanley said once completed it will double the company's sugar processing capacity by producing an additional 144,000 tonnes of sugar per year.

The new factory will also have more than double the amount of cane sourced from growers.

“Our goal is to support the government’s efforts in ensuring self-sufficiency in sugar through locally produced sugar. Apart from strategies for internal efficiency, we are working with various stakeholders to provide growers with education on best farming practices and other technical and financial support to improve their yield per acre.”, said Stanley

Chairman of Kilombero Joint Enterprises Cooperatives Society, which represents 17 Agricultural Marketing Co-operatives (AMCOS), Charles Mayunga said the Kilombero sugarcane farmers’ day is a significant opportunity for farmers to meet and discuss all matters related to modern farming techniques.

“With the support of partners, we are empowering farmers with the knowledge and technology to improve their yields, work more efficiently, and achieve self-sufficiency," he added.