sugar Research Institute

The Institute contributes towards making the sugar industry more competitive by conducting research along the entire sugar value chain

Well managed cane

Sugarcane agriculture was introduced in Kenya at Kibos in the early 1900s by Indian settlers who used it to manufacture jaggery. Before independence, the sugar industry in Kenya was dominated by private entrepreneurs. Later, the Ministry of Agriculture conducted field experiments on farmers’ fields in Kibos and Miwani and laboratory investigations at the National Agricultural Laboratories – Kabete, in Nairobi.  
Large-scale production and processing started with the establishment of Miwani Sugar Mills in 1922, and expanded with the addition of Associated Sugar Mills at Ramisi in 1927. After independence, the Kenya Government started playing a central role in the ownership and management of the sugar industry. The Government established the following factories: Muhoroni (1966), Chemelil (1968), Mumias (1973), Nzoia (1978), South Nyanza (1979). Private investors have also built sugar factories in West Kenya (1981), Soin (2006), Kibos (2007), Butali (2011), Transmara (2011) and Sukari (2012).  The latest entrant into the sugar industry is Kwale International Sugar Company Limited at Ramisi a private enterprise which started milling cane in 2015.

Organized research on sugarcane dates back to 1969 when the government set up the Sugar Research Station at Kibos, within the Nyando sugar belt, to enhance research on sugarcane production. In 1988 the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) was reorganized and the station was renamed National Sugar Research Centre, with a national mandate on sugar research.  Through the efforts ofthe Kenya Sugar Authority (KSA) and KARI to enhance efficiency of sugar research, the Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (KESREF) was created and started its operations on 1st February 2001. KARI and KSA provided the initial resources to enable KESREF to take off.

Recently the Kenya government undertook reforms in the agricultural sector to improve efficiency in service delivery. This culminated in the formation of two new state corporations in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries namely:  Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Authority (AFFA) and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). AFFA, through the Sugar Directorate, is responsible for regulating, developing, and promoting the sugar industry while Research in sugarcane cultivation and sugar production is the responsibility of KALRO through the Sugar Research Institute (SRI).

Location

The Headquarters of SRI is at Kibos along Kisumu-Miwani road in Kisumu County. SRI has Centres in Kibos (Kisumu County) and Mtwapa (Kilifi County), Opapo (Migori County) and Mumias (Kakamega County). It also has a testing site at Kikoneni (Kwale county).

  1. SRI Headquarters is located 13 km from Kisumu town along the Kisumu-Miwani road. (Latitude: 0.037099 | Longitude: 34.821516 | Altitude: 1200m).
  2. Mtwapa Centre is within Mtwapa Township, 20 km North of Mombasa on the Mombasa-Malindi road, in the same location with the KALRO Industrial Crops Research Institute (Latitude: 3.934537 | Longitude: 39.736532 | Altitude: 30m).
  3. Mumias Centre is within Mumias Township next to the Mumias Law Courts. (Latitude: 0.338828 |Longitude: 34.489993).
  4. Opapo Centre is located 8 km from Rongo Township along the Rongo-Homa Bay road. (Latitude: -0.695391 | Longitude: 34.545815).

Vision:

Excellence in sugar research towards transformed livelihoods

Mission:

To conduct research through application of science, technology and innovations to catalyze sustainable growth and development in the sugar crops value chains

Mandate

The Institute has a national mandate to promote research and investigate all problems related to sugarcane and such other crops, processing into sugar and by-products, and their systems of husbandry, productivity, quality and sustainability of land and matters ancillary thereto.

The institute has the following objectives:

  1. Promote demand-driven participatory research, planning and priority setting;
  2. Organize, design and carry out research that leads to the generation of  crop production and processing technologies and innovations for enhancing productivity, value addition, competitiveness and sustainability of the Kenya sugar industry;
  3. Identify/develop appropriate production, policy, market, processing and co-product utilization options for enhancing an integrated sugar industry;
  4. Identify and disseminate, in collaboration with relevant agencies and stakeholders, appropriate systems of mechanization, cane transport and technology options to improve sugarcane production and productivity
  5. In collaboration with agricultural extension services, training institutions (private and public) and other organizations, disseminate and promote research findings, technologies and innovations;
  6. Establish and maintain contacts with regional and international agricultural research institutions to ensure rapid introduction, evaluation and use of available technology of potential benefit to the industry;

    
Green house                                                       Crossing at Mtwapa                                    Land preparation and planting

 
Mature cane                                                            Technology Transfer I                                 Technology Transfer II

 

                         

The Institute executes its mandate under 5 research programmes

1. Crop Improvement and Protection

  • Variety Improvement:

Breeding and promotion of suitable sugar crop varieties

  • Crop Management and Physiology:

Development and promotion of appropriate nutritional and agronomic practices for sugar crops.

  • Crop Protection:

Development and promotion of integrated management strategies for major pests and diseases control measures of sugar crops.

  • Agro-Meteorology information:

Improvement in the application of agro meteorology information.

  • Biotechnology:

Compliment conventional breeding

2. Environment Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity  (ENReMB)

  • Irrigation, water and drainage:

Development and promotion of appropriate irrigation, water and drainage management practices in sugar crops

  • Environmental management and conservation:

Development and integration of environmentally sound techniques and practices in sugar crops production system

  • Remote sensing and geographical information systems;

Development of efficient database and geo-referenced information for mapping, modeling and management of land and water resources in sugar crops.
Responsible for mapping suitable areas for growing sugarcane

3. Product Diversification and Value Addition (PDVA)

  • Sugar Crops Technology and diversification:

Improvement of sugar crops product diversification and value addition systems.

  • Co-product utilization, value addition and waste management:

Improvement on the utilization and value addition of sugar crops co-products

4. Socio-economics, Statistics and Policy Development (SESPoD)

  • Socio-economics;

Identify and priorities research areas, optimization of resource allocation, support in technology development and packaging and impact assessment of technological use for increased productivity and competitiveness of the sugar crops sub sector

  • Statistics;

Development and designing of appropriate experimental designs and surveys, data management, analysis and reporting for the institute

  • Policy Development;

Evaluation and recommendation of policies in the sugar crops sub sector
Responsible for developing the CBA

5. Knowledge, information management and outreach (KIMO)

  • Promotion of demand driven sugar crops and sugar processing technologies and innovations for adaptation.
  • Up-scaling of demand driven sugar crops and sugar processing technologies, Information and innovations.
  • Fostering partnerships for enhanced productivity, value addition and competiveness.

I. Research  and Development

  • Research and development focuses on the above research areas with a goal to develop demand driven technologies and innovations for enhancing productivity, value addition and competitiveness of sugar crops in Kenya.

Thematic areas includes:-

  • Variety improvement: Breeding and promotion of suitable sugar crop varieties (Breeding photos attached)
  • Crop management: Development and promotion of appropriate nutritional and agronomic practices for sugar crops. (Photo Attached)
  • Crop Protection: Development and promotion of integrated management strategies for major pests and diseases control measures of sugar crops
  • Agro-meteorology information: Improvement in the application of agro meteorology information.
  • Knowledge management: Enhance adoption and up scaling of developed technologies, innovations and management practices (TIMPs)

II. Capacity building

  • Emphasis to be placed on enhancing availability of information on integrated agricultural and industrial sugar research
  • Capacity building initiatives will focuses on organizing  training sessions for  farmers and stakeholders on various TIMPs as well as  both long term and short term training of technical staff on relevant research focus
  • Participation in local/international conferences and stakeholder sensitization on various TIMPs will be undertaken

II. Policy Support

  • The Institute strives to provide reliable policy recommendation to the government, private sector and the  in the Industry based on research findings

KALRO provides sugarcane growers with varieties adapted to the highly contrasting ecological zones. 12% of the area under sugarcane in Kenya is planted with 27 improved varieties, which have been released for commercial exploitation.
Key climate smart features for improved varieties are:

  • Early maturing- 12-14 months
  • Low fibre-   Average 15%
  • High yield potential 80-120 Tch
  • Good canopy- reduces weeding frequency
  • High tillering 20-25
  • Stress tolerant- KEN 82- 808, KEN 98-530.

Wide agro ecological adaptation. KEN 83-737

 

KEN 95 – 378

Year released:   2022Country of origin: Kenya Climate smart attributes
Maturity: Early
12 – 15 Months PC
10 – 14 Months RC Productivity
Yield: 80.7  – 114.3 Tch
High pol% cane 12.5 – 13.8.
Fibre  16.4 %
Other Attributes
Intermediate resistance to smut.
High ratooning ability.
Wide adaptability.
Tolerant to lodging, and abiotic stress.Altitude: 800-1500 Masl (Highlands)

150-450 Masl (Coastal)

AEZ:  Humid (Highlands)
          Sub Humid ( Nyando Sugar Zones)
          Semi Humid (Coastal Zones)

 KEN 95 – 593

Year released:   2022Country of origin: Kenya Climate smart attributes
  Maturity: Early
  12 – 16 Months PC
  10 – 14 Months RC
Productivity
   Yield  76.3 – 102.4  Tch
   High Pol % cane 12 – 14.3.
   Fibre 16.1%
Other Attributes
High ratooning ability.
Tolerant to lodging, and abiotic stress.
Inter resistance to smut.
Wide adaptability.
Altitude: 800-1500Masl
              
150-450 Masl (Coastal)AEZ:  Humid (Highlands)
  Sub Humid ( Nyando Sugar Zones)
          Semi Humid (Coastal Zones)
       		KEN 97 – 102

Year released:   2022Country of origin: Kenya Climate smart attributes
  Maturity: Early
  12 -1 6 Months PC
  10 – 14 Months RC
 
Productivity
Yield: 95.4  – 129.2  Tch
High Pol % cane 12 – 14.1
Fibre  16.2%
Other Attributes
Tolerant to smut.
Good ratooning ability.
Easily detrashing.
Wide adaptability.
Altitude: 800-1500Masl
               150-450 Masl (Coastal)AEZ:   Humid (Highlands)
            Sub Humid ( Nyando Sugar Zones)
            Semi Humid (Coastal Zones)
      

IMPROVED SUGARCANE VARIETIES CATALOGUE

 

KEN 97 – 131

Year released:   2022Country of origin: Kenya Climate smart attributes
  Maturity: Early to mid
  14 -1 6 Months PC
  12 – 15 Months RC
 
Productivity
Yield: 92 – 130
High pol % cane 12 – 14
Fibre 16.6%
Other Attributes
Good ratooning ability
Tolerant to lodging, smut, mosaic and RSD
Easily detrashing
Altitude: 800-1500Masl
               150-450 Masl (Coastal)AEZ:   Humid (Highlands)
            Sub Humid ( Nyando Sugar Zones)
            Semi Humid (Coastal Zones)
 KEN 97 – 215
Year released:   2022Country of origin: Kenya Climate smart attributes
  Maturity: Early
  12 -1 6 Months PC
  10 – 14 Months RC
 
Productivity
Yield: 80  – 115
High pol % cane 12 – 13
Fibre 16.4%
Other Attributes
Moderate ratooning ability
Tolerant to mosaic and RSD
        Easily detrashing
Altitude: 800-1500Masl
               150-450 Masl (Coastal) 

AEZ:   Humid (Highlands)
            Sub Humid ( Nyando Sugar Zones)
            Semi Humid (Coastal Zones)

 KEN 97 – 317
Year released:   2022Country of origin: Kenya Climate smart attributes
  Maturity: Early
  12 -1 6 Months PC
  10 – 14 Months RC
 
Productivity
Yield:  88 – 125
High pol % cane 12 – 14
Fibre 16.1%
Other Attributes
Tolerant to mosaic and RSD
Moderate ratooning ability
Easily detrashing
      
Altitude: 800-1500Masl
               150-450 Masl (Coastal)AEZ:   Humid (Highlands)
            Sub Humid ( Nyando Sugar Zones)
            Semi Humid (Coastal Zones)

 

KEN 00 – 3811

Year released:   2014
Country of origin: Kenya
Climate smart attributes
Maturity: Early
14 – 16 Months PC
12 – 14 Months RCProductivity
Yield: 98  – 134 Tch
High pol% cane 11 – 13
Fibre  16.8 %Other Attributes
Intermediate resistance to smut.
High ratooning ability.
Wide adaptability.
Tolerant to lodging, and abiotic stress.

Altitude: 800-1500 Masl (Highlands)

150-450 Masl (Coastal)

AEZ:  Humid (Highlands)
          Sub Humid ( Nyando Sugar Zones)
          Semi Humid (Coastal Zones)

 KEN 00 – 13

Year released:   2014
Country of origin: KenyaClimate smart attributes
Maturity: Early and high in yields
  12 -1 4 Months PC
  10 – 12 Months RC
 
Productivity
Yield: 95  – 129  Tch
High Pol % cane 12 – 14
Fibre  15.6%Other Attributes
High ratooning ability.
Easily detrashing.
        Wide adaptability.

Altitude: 800-1500Masl
               150-450 Masl (Coastal)

AEZ:   Humid (Highlands)
            Sub Humid ( Nyando Sugar Zones)
            Semi Humid (Coastal Zones)
      

 

 KEN 82- 601
Year released:   2011
Country of origin: Kenya
Climate smart attributes
Maturity: Early and high Pol % cane
  12 -1 4 Months PC
  10 – 12 Months RC
 
Productivity
Yield:  80 – 120
High pol % cane 12 – 14
Fibre 15.1%
Other Attributes
Tolerant to mosaic and RSD
Moderate ratooning ability
Easily detrashing
Wide adaptability
      
Altitude: 800-1500Masl
               150-450 Masl (Coastal)
AEZ:   Humid (Highlands)
            Sub Humid ( Nyando Sugar Zones)
            Semi Humid (Coastal Zones)
    

 

KEN 82 – 493

Year released:   2011
Country of origin: KenyaClimate smart attributes
Maturity: Early
14 – 16 Months PC
12 – 14 Months RCProductivity

Yield: 90  – 122 Tch
High pol% cane 12 – 14
Fibre  15.3 %
Other Attributes
Intermediate resistance to smut.
High ratooning ability.
Wide adaptability.
Altitude: 800-1500 Masl (Highlands)

150-450 Masl (Coastal)

AEZ:  Humid (Highlands)
          Sub Humid ( Nyando Sugar Zones)
          Semi Humid (Coastal Zones)

 KEN 82 – 401
Year released:   2007
Country of origin: Guyana
Climate smart attributes
  Maturity: Early and high Pol % cane
  12 -1 4 Months PC
  10 – 12 Months RC
 
Productivity
Yield: 90 – 130
High pol % cane 13 – 14
Fibre 15%

Other Attributes
Tolerant to smut
Easily detrashing

Altitude: 800-1500Masl
               150-450 Masl (Coastal)

AEZ:   Humid (Highlands)
           Sub Humid ( Nyando Sugar Zones)
           Semi Humid (Coastal Zones)
      

 

 KEN 82 – 472
Year released:   2007
Country of origin: Kenya
Climate smart attributes
  Maturity: Early to mid
  15 – 17 Months PC
  14 – 16 Months RC
Productivity
   Yield:  88 – 120  Tch
   High Pol % cane 11 – 12
   Fibre 17.1%
Other Attributes
High ratooning ability.
Tolerant to lodging, and abiotic stress.
Inter resistance to smut.
Wide adaptability.Altitude: 800-1500Masl
              
150-450 Masl (Coastal)

AEZ:  Humid (Highlands)
          Sub Humid ( Nyando Sugar Zones)
          Semi Humid (Coastal Zones)

 

D 8484

Year released:   2002
Country of origin: Kenya
Climate smart attributes
  Maturity: Early and high Pol% cane
  12 -1 4 Months PC
  10 – 12 Months RC
 
Productivity
Yield: 90 – 124
High pol % cane 13 – 14
Fibre 15.4%
Other Attributes
Moderate ratooning ability
Tolerant to smut and mosaic
        Easily detrashingAltitude: 800-1500Masl
               150-450 Masl (Coastal)AEZ:   Humid (Highlands)
            Sub Humid ( Nyando Sugar Zones)
            Semi Humid (Coastal Zones)

 

The Institute contributes towards making the sugar industry more competitive by conducting research along the entire sugar value chain

The Institute collaborates with various national and international organizations, including:

  • Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives
  • County Governments
  • AFA – Sugar Directorate
  • Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS)
  • Pest Control Products Board (PCPB)
  • Farmer Organizations
  • Climate Smart Agriculture
  • G4AW
  • Agrochemical firms
  • Sugarcane farmers
  • Sugarcane millers
  • Educational Institutions (Polytechnics, Universities)
  • International Sugar Research Institutions

The Headquarters of SRI is at Kibos along Kisumu-Miwani road in Kisumu County. SRI has Centres in Kibos (Kisumu County) and Mtwapa (Kilifi County), Opapo (Migori County) and Mumias (Kakamega County). It also has a testing site at Kikoneni (Kwale county).

SRI Headquarters is located 13 km from Kisumu town along the Kisumu-Miwani road. (Latitude: 0.037099 | Longitude: 34.821516 | Altitude: 1200m).

2. Mtwapa Centre is within Mtwapa Township, 20 km North of Mombasa on the Mombasa-Malindi road, in the same location with the KALRO Industrial Crops Research Institute (Latitude: 3.934537 | Longitude: 39.736532 | Altitude: 30m).

3. Mumias Centre is within Mumias Township next to the Mumias Law Courts. (Latitude: 0.338828 |Longitude: 34.489993).

4. Opapo Centre is located 8 km from Rongo Township along the Rongo-Homa Bay road. (Latitude: -0.695391 | Longitude: 34.545815).

The Research Institute has made significant contributions to Kenya’s agricultural sector, including:

  1. 27 Improved varieties developed-High in yields, sucrose content and early maturity for commercial cultivation
  2. Nurseries of improved sugarcane varieties established at strategic locations in various cane growing zones across the industry
  3. Institute calibrated pilot cane testing units in five sugar factories and build requisite database for prediction of sucrose content
  4. Institute developed a sugarcane synchrony model
  5. Institute has undertaken various efficacy trials on herbicides and fungicides and made recommendations to pest control product board(PCPB)
  6. Remote sensing and geographic information system(RS/GIS) technique for estimating sugarcane production and soil water management was developed
  7. Institute organized and participated in outreach and partnership programmes such as open days, field days, shows and exhibitions.
  8. Held over 30 stakeholder forums
  9. Articles have been published in referred journals, conference proceedings, MSc/MBA and PhD thesis, Technical reports/ Handbooks and brochures/leaflets

Location

The Headquarters of SRI is at Kibos along Kisumu-Miwani road in Kisumu County. SRI has Centres in Kibos (Kisumu County) and Mtwapa (Kilifi County), Opapo (Migori County) and Mumias (Kakamega County). It also has a testing site at Kikoneni (Kwale county).

SRI Headquarters is located 13 km from Kisumu town along the Kisumu-Miwani road. (Latitude: 0.037099 | Longitude: 34.821516 | Altitude: 1200m).

2. Mtwapa Centre is within Mtwapa Township, 20 km North of Mombasa on the Mombasa-Malindi road, in the same location with the KALRO Industrial Crops Research Institute (Latitude: 3.934537 | Longitude: 39.736532 | Altitude: 30m).

3. Mumias Centre is within Mumias Township next to the Mumias Law Courts. (Latitude: 0.338828 |Longitude: 34.489993).

4. Opapo Centre is located 8 km from Rongo Township along the Rongo-Homa Bay road. (Latitude: -0.695391 | Longitude: 34.545815).

Contacts
Sugar Research Institute (SRI)
Headquarters
Kisumu-Miwani Road
P.O. Box 44 – 40100
KISUMU – KENYA

Tel: +254 020 204 7307 / 0735 33 99 12
Email: director.sri@kalro.org
Web:  http://www.kalro.org/sugar

SRI,Sugarcane Breeding Centre, Mtwapa
P.O. Box 10275 – 80109
BAMBURI – KENYA
Tel:  +254 20 204 7304

SRI, Opapo Centre
P.O. Box 21 -40404
RONGO – KENYA
Tel:  +254 20 204 7314

SRI Mumias Centre
P.O. Box 113 -50102
MUMIAS – KENYA
Tel:  +254 772641390