Arjo Didesa sugar factory which is found in Oromia State, Ethiopia, commenced production.

The factory was initially dubbed Al-habesh and owned by a foreign company. However, it was later sold to Sugar Corporation for 2 billion Birr. When the transaction took place, the factory’s 90 percent construction was complete.

According to the Executive Officer of the factory, Keba Merga, once the remaining 10 percent construction was completed, Sugar Corporation started production. For the last couple of months the factory has been producing sugar under pilot production level.

The Executive Officer explained at the first phase the factory had the capacity to crush 8,000 tons of sugarcane every day. Sugarcane was produced on 3,000 hectares, he added.

Because of heavy rainfall in the area, currently the factory only operates 5 months from the entire year.

Source: Walta Information Center