By URN
Kinyara Sugar Limited lost 6.8 billion Shillings to fires that gutted sugarcane plantations in their areas of operations last season.
Records at Kinyara Sugar Limited indicate that the sugar company lost 1,700 hectares of sugar cane plantations to fires during the season. These majorly affected out-growers who are scattered in various parts of Masindi district.Sam Rugambwa, the Deputy Agricultural Manager at Kinyara Sugar Limited attributes the fire outbreaks to family wrangles and disputes, especially on the side of the outgrowers.
He says to curb the vice, the sugar company has acquired various firefighting equipment that has since been deployed in various villages where their outgrowers are scattered.
Ravi Ramalingam, the General Manager of Kinyara Sugar Limited says fire outbreaks have drastically affected the company operations and put their business at a loss. He also called on the communities settling adjacent to their sugarcane plantations to be conscious and desist from unnecessary bush burning.
He says the government should intervene in curbing the rampant fire outbreaks by providing long-term solutions to protect investments whether private or public through a government-public-private partnership.
However, some outgrowers who spoke to URN on condition of anonymity explain that some of the fires are set by disgruntled farmers who accuse the sugar company of delaying or declining to pay them for long periods of time.
