South Mugirango residents have welcomed the move by Kisii government to build a sugar factory in the area.
According to Francis Baraini, a resident at Mochenu area, the factory will create jobs for the locals thereby empowering them economically.
The county government unveiled the plan to construct a modern sugar factory after preliminary research showed that the area produces a lot of sugarcane and yet there is no reliable market.
According to the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Mr Vincent Sagwe, the county has already identified investors to build up a Sh2.4 billion sugar factory in South Mugirango Sub-County, and this is expected to create over 700 jobs for the residents.
The proposed plan will see cane farmers in the Gusii region reap great benefits as this venture will significantly reduce the costs incurred during transportation of cane to millers in the neighbouring Migori and Narok counties.
According to Sagwe, there is approximately 3,500 hectares of land under sugarcane with an annual production estimated to reach up to 240,000 tonnes.
This translates to an approximate 75,000 tonnes per hectare.