By Willy Chowoo
Atiak Sugar Factory in Amuru District is set to introduce a cutting-edge irrigation system aimed at boosting sugarcane production and addressing the effects of erratic weather patterns. This development comes ahead of the planned resumption of sugar production in 2026.
The factory’s current rain-fed capacity produces 60 to 80 tons per hectare, which is insufficient to meet its crushing demand of 1,650 tons per day, with the potential to expand to 4,000 tons. To meet this expanded capacity, the factory will require approximately 50,000 tons of sugarcane each month.
Dr. Ayella Paul, the Director of Irrigation and Development at Atiak, explained that the introduction of irrigation will significantly increase production. “With proper irrigation, yields can rise from 80 to 120 tons per hectare, or more, depending on the farming practices and local conditions,” he said. Dr. Ayella emphasized that this system will improve the factory’s output by 20-50%, enhancing the economic sustainability of sugarcane farming.
Overcoming Supply Challenges
The factory, officially launched in 2020, halted operations after just two years due to an inadequate supply of sugarcane. Initially, it relied on cane from Masindi District, over 200 kilometers away. Additionally, wildfires ravaged thousands of hectares of cane, compounding the supply issues.
The sugarcane plantation is located near River Unyama, which dries up during the dry season and floods during the rainy season, disrupting farming activities. To counter these challenges, the factory is implementing a Centre Pivot Irrigation System to ensure stable farming during the dry season.
The factory’s irrigation infrastructure includes 62 center pivots, four dams, and an 82-kilometer network of pipes to draw water from the frequently flooding River Unyama, which runs through Elegu, a neighboring town on the South Sudan border. Dr. Ayella highlighted the efficiency of the system, stating that it saves 20-50% more water than traditional irrigation methods.
Water Storage and Supply
To meet the water demands of its 4,150 hectares of sugarcane, the factory needs to store 33.2 million cubic meters of water. “That’s why we’re building dams and connecting them to River Unyama, so that when the river floods, we can stock our dams. When the river dries up, our dams will be full,” Dr. Ayella explained.
Given that sugarcane has an 18-month growing cycle, he pointed out that the factory will require substantial water, especially during the dry season, which runs from November to March. Construction is underway on four dams, the largest of which covers 40 acres and has a storage capacity of 1.5 billion cubic meters. Irrigation is set to begin by November 2024, at the onset of the dry season.
“This proactive approach ensures that our sugarcane receives the necessary hydration during critical growth periods, minimizing the risk of stress and maximizing yield potential,” Dr. Ayella noted.
Multiple Cropping Cycles and Increased Productivity
The irrigation system will allow for multiple cropping cycles within a year, maximizing land use and productivity. It will also protect crops during dry spells, reducing the risk of crop failure. Dr. Ayella emphasized that reliable water availability promotes better root development, enhances growth rates, and will shorten the crop cycle from 18 months to 12 months.
Mr. Bunty Seeruttun, Director of Agriculture at Horyal Investment, said, “With irrigation, we can plan better during the dry season, improve our yields, and reduce the crop cycle to 12 months.”
Pressure to Reopen the Factory
The factory aims to plant 25,000 acres of sugarcane, a process that began in 2022 with the revival of burnt cane for seed purposes. This strategy is intended to reduce costs, though the actual yield of cane seeds from the burnt fields is still unknown.
By the end of both planting phases, the factory expects to have 1.1 million tons of sugarcane, sufficient for 9-10 months of crushing. The plantation process, which began in April, has already seen over 1,000 acres planted, with planting scheduled to continue until mid-September. A second phase will resume in December, supported by the new irrigation system. In phase one, 10,000 acres will be covered.
The investment in irrigation will allow the factory to plant during both the dry and rainy seasons, boosting yield per hectare and reducing the crop cycle from 18 to 12 months. While there is pressure to reopen, the management is committed to ensuring adequate cane supply before restarting operations, targeting early 2026.
Mr. Seeruttun noted, “We don’t want to rush into reopening only to face another closure due to insufficient cane supply. This would compromise the quality of the juice produced.”
By 2026, Atiak Sugar Factory aims to be back in operation, producing at full capacity with the help of sustainable irrigation practices.
