Kabuye Sugar Works

Situation

For years, sugar cane farmers, as well as Rwanda’s sole sugar cane processor, Kabuye Sugar Works (KSW), have faced restricted production because of a shortage of suitable land for sugarcane agriculture. In addition, severe flooding and deficient drainage constrains optimal yields on existing land, forcing Rwanda to import much of its sugar, and leaving consumers highly dependent on volatile prices. With a growing population and increasing consumer expenditure, both domestically and regionally, Rwanda risked missing a crucial opportunity to grow a local industry with great potential.

Karisimbi Partners’ Approach

In 2014, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the “Sugar: Make it Work” partnership with the “Best Public-Private-Partnership Award,” noting its strong initial results, comprehensive solutions and dedicated participants. The partnership is making critical investments in water management infrastructure in order to reduce flooding so that KSW and outgrower farmers can make the most of available marshland. Within the next decade, through improved water management and the introduction of remote sensing technology, local production of sugar will nearly double following the reclamation of 2,000 hectares for agricultural production. This will lead to an increase in outgrower and KSW estate employment by over 40%, as well as add new highly skilled agro-IT service jobs in the sugarcane sector. Sugarcane farmers that were informally collaborating in associations and groups are already operating in officially recognized and well-organized cooperatives. With improved capacity to track and monitor crops, KSW and outgrower farmers will be in a better position to predict sugarcane yields, respond to disease outbreaks and optimize harvesting and transport of crops.

Results

In 2014, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the “Sugar: Make it Work” partnership with the “Best Public-Private-Partnership Award,” noting its strong initial results, comprehensive solutions and dedicated participants. The partnership is making critical investments in water management infrastructure in order to reduce flooding so that KSW and outgrower farmers can make the most of available marshland. Within the next decade, through improved water management and the introduction of remote sensing technology, local production of sugar will nearly double following the reclamation of 2,000 hectares for agricultural production. This will lead to an increase in outgrower and KSW estate employment by over 40%, as well as add new highly skilled agro-IT service jobs in the sugarcane sector. Sugarcane farmers that were informally collaborating in associations and groups are already operating in officially recognized and well-organized cooperatives. With improved capacity to track and monitor crops, KSW and outgrower farmers will be in a better position to predict sugarcane yields, respond to disease outbreaks and optimize harvesting and transport of crops.