SUGARCANE PRODUCTION IN THE TANA DELTA REGION IN KENYA

Introduction
The international sugar production involves more than 130 countries. These countries are able to meet the demand by ensuring that the supply of sugar is even (Hunsigi, 2010). Sugar is either produced from sugarcane as it is in the tropical regions and beet that does well in the temperate areas (Hunsigi, 2010). The most type of traded sugar in the international market is raw sugar compared to white sugar
. The international market receives an annual 180 million tonnes of sugar, courtesy of the producing countries (Hunsigi, 2010). Out of this, 75% is produced by the top sugar producing countries inclusive of Brazil, Russia, India and Thailand among other countries.
Increase in the world’s population has expanded the international sugar market with forecasts indicating an annual growth of 2% (Hunsigi, 2010). Additionally, most households have also shifted their dietary patterns with sugar being at the centre of every meal in the modern day families (Hunsigi, 2010). The other reason for the expansion of the market is the rise of the middle income population (Hunsigi, 2010). The international market is dominated by a number of trade blocs and other bodies that govern the standards and amount of sugar that each country is allowed to export.
Sugar processing starts right from the farm to packaging. The harvested sugarcane is first sorted out from chaff at the loading bay in the factory (Bakker, 2012). The sugarcane is then cleaned and loaded on large roller mills that squeezed to extract juice (Bakker, 2012). The juice then gets in the boilers where it is cleaned up in slaked lime to obtain a syrup. The syrup is cleaned once again and evaporated (Bakker, 2012). The syrup is then placed in a large pan where additional boiling takes place. The sugar then crystalizes (Bakker, 2012). The crystalizing syrup is then left to further crystalize after which it is bleached using sulphur and packaged as white sugar ready for the market. The process of sugar production releases carbon dioxide and other gases especially at the harvesting and milling phases (Bakker, 2012). The cultivation process also involves the use of chemicals that end up in the water bodies and soils causing soil infertility (Bakker, 2012). The continued mono-cropping of sugar leads to the deterioration of nutrients in the soil. The clearing of land for the farms further leads to the loss of biodiversity.
The Possible View Point of a Local Elder
The Tana River Delta Region is an ecosystem that supports a variety of flora and fauna species. The region is also a home of some communities whose livelihoods are attached in one way or the other (Temper, 2014). The people from this area are basically pastoralists while some sedentary farmers who rear fish, poultry, and practice farming in both small and large scale. There are a myriad of concerns that needs to be addressed adequately (Temper, 2014). First off, when the project is rolled out, the farmers will lose range land that is currently used for grazing cattle and other stock such as donkeys, goats and sheep (Mireri, Onjala and Oguge, 2008). It is obvious that dykes shall be erected in the plain areas that are prone to seasonal flooding thus reducing the watering points and livestock corridors. This will force the farmers to reduce their stock losing their source of heritage and income (Temper, 2014). Looked positively, this will reduce the conflicts between the communities being that each land shall be demarcated and ownership determination made possible (Mireri, Onjala and Oguge, 2008). The project should be made to be a property of the community so that the villagers have the heart to embrace the change and enjoy the returns as well.
The resettlement process will lead to the change of lifestyles of the locals. The process should therefore follow well laid mechanisms of compensation for the lands lost by the villagers. The organization charged with overseeing the project should engage the community so that the process is smooth. Additionally, where possible the forest areas that host the birds should be conserved as have been the culture of the locals since the creation of awareness by the government agencies. There are environmental implications that will arise in the course of processing sugarcane (Mireri, Onjala and Oguge, 2008). The company that mills sugar should come up with mitigation measures to reduce the impacts of the operations on the locals. The mangrove forests therefore, should not be interfered with. Additionally, with all possible measures the water bodies should not be interfered with. The dykes will save the area from the seasonal floods, but those who reside in the areas should be protected from being confused as squatters (Temper, 2014). There should be emancipation of the locals on sugar cane production and the ecological implications. The area should also be a point for the development of the villagers in every way possible.
The Point of View of the Producer
The production of sugar in the East African region is essential to address the rising demand. This project is very timely and comes when Kenya really needs sugar for its local consumption (Mireri, Onjala and Oguge, 2008). There are a number of benefits that will come along with the construction of the factory. First off, there will be job creation being that there is a high demand for labour to work in the farms and in the company. A total of 20,000 individuals are bound to secure employment in the firm (Mireri, Onjala and Oguge, 2008). From an economic point of view, the purchasing power of the employees most of whom will be the locals shall be increased and thus consumption. This will help boost not only the economy of the country but for the county in general.
It is clear as at now that the area is a catchment area and is also an ecosystem. The company will emancipate the locals on the methods that can be used in conserving the environment (Mireri, Onjala and Oguge, 2008). The company will also have funds to improve the conserved regions. The production process involves the flow of goods, meaning the building the roads and rails if possible. This will open the area and promote both local and international ecotourism (Mireri, Onjala and Oguge, 2008). This will also result in rural electrification from the electricity produced by the company. Investors are therefore likely to be attracted to the region to set up firms whose raw materials are the by-products of sugar manufacturing process (Temper, 2014). The company will also produce sugar to supplement that produced in other areas so as to address the scarcity of sugar and thus demand and supply (Mireri, Onjala and Oguge, 2008). This will create self sufficiency of the country in terms of sugar production and the exportation of surplus to the neighbouring countries.
The development of social amenities such as schools, home and hospitals shall strengthen the social, economic and political pillars in the region (Temper, 2014). The area is prime as there is vast land as well as the necessary ecological conditions for the cultivation of sugarcane. Additionally, there are areas surrounding the marked area that will be used for out grower services. The income from the whole process will be used to develop initiatives that could assist in poverty eradication in the area (Mireri, Onjala and Oguge, 2008). The hallmark of the project shall be the realization of profits that can be used to revive rice farming in the area as well as a range of other agricultural practices such as fish farming and horticulture as well as viticulture. Ultimately, researchers will be able to reach the region possibly creating more avenues for production activities.
The Point of View of a Political Leader in Kenya
Tana River Delta Region has economic, social and political significance for Kenya in general. Kenya being a tourist destination, the area provides a serene environment for the tourists as well as eco-tourists. The proposed development of sugar plantation and thereafter a factory would be both beneficial and detrimental for the region. However, at one point or another, decision has to be made. The project will lead to the opening up of the region and thus rural development to be precise (Mireri, Onjala and Oguge, 2008). This will increase the traffic to the region and thus boost business. In the process, investors are also attracted to the region and thus expanded development. The revenue resulting from tourism will be used in conserving the environment and using resources to educate the locals.
The other benefit will be job creation for the population leaving in the area and the country in general. This is especially important step in addressing the issue of unemployment that is blamed for the insecurity issues across the country (Temper, 2014). The infrastructure will aid in reaching the locals and thus strengthening their health status (Mireri, Onjala and Oguge, 2008). The out growers will have an assured market being that the only firm in the region will be the one yet to be developed. This is a positive step as the locals will have a diversified source of income and will roll positively in the development path (Mireri, Onjala and Oguge, 2008). The shortage of sugar in the whole country due to delay in the period taken from planting to harvest of sugarcane will be reduced as when the sugar belts in the western parts are growing this will be ready and vice versa.
Negatively, the project will lead to the loss of biodiversity and environmental implications as well. The environmental degradation will affect tourism through effecting climate change that can cause shifts in seasons and thus disrupted flow of income. With little land to graze, community conflicts are likely to arise and thus loss of lives and exacerbation of insecurity. The best gift the project controllers can give the community is developing a mechanism that is transparent during the process of compensation, taking all parameters into account.
Recommendations and Conclusion
The development of a project would attract different points of views as have been seen above. In this case, the proposed project is meant to take some number of acreage for the growth of sugarcane and the development of a factory that will be milling sugar. There are social, environmental, economic and political factors that are of consideration prior to the implementation of the project that would possibly consume lump sum amount of money. In the context of the project, two recommendations are possible. First off, the government should consider halting the project as the challenges are more than the benefits that shall accrue (Mireri, Onjala and Oguge, 2008). Secondly, the project should proceed only and only if the parameters are taken care of. First off, the organization should ensure transparent compensation process. Secondly, there should be a clear strategy to maintain the conserved regions (Mireri, Onjala and Oguge, 2008). Lastly, the stakeholders should be consulted in order to come up with the best measures.

Bibliography
Bakker, H. (2012). Sugar cane cultivation and management. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.
Hunsigi, G. (2010). Production of sugarcane: Theory and practice; with 93 tables. Berlin: Springer.
Temper, L. (2014). Let Them Eat Sugar: Life and Livelihood in Kenya’s Tana Delta | CEECEC. [Online] Ceecec.net. [Accessed 13 Aug. 2015].
Mireri, C., Onjala, J. and Oguge, N. (2008). The Economic Valuation of the Proposed Tana Integrated Sugar Project (TISP), Kenya. 1st ed. [ebook] pp.1-72. [Accessed 14 Aug. 2015].