Nzoia Sugar Company Limited (NSC) is one of the key players in Kenya’s Sugar Industry. Nzoia Sugar Company is located in Bungoma County, Bungoma South District, 5 Kilometers off the Webuye-Bungoma highway. The Company serves over 60,000 farmers in the larger Bungoma, Kakamega, Lugari and Malaba Districts.It is situated at a latitude of 0˚35’N and a longitude of 34˚40’E, and an altitude of between 1420-1490 meters above sea level.

The Company was established in 1975, under the Company’s Act Cap. 486 of the Laws of Kenyawith Memorandum and Articles of Association and issued a certificate of incorporation No.C13734 dated 1st August, 1975. The Government is the majority shareholder owning 98% shares while Fives Cail Babcock (FCB) and Industrial Development Bank owning1% each respectively.
NSC produces sugar and supports cane production through the provision of extension services to farmers with an extensive Company Nucleus Estate Covering 3600 ha and an outgrower zone spanning more than 23,500 ha of cane.

Annual rainfall experienced by the company ranges between 1500-1800mm and air temperature is between 13˚C - 32˚C. The company is endowed with water resources from Chalicha Springs and River Kuywa, which traverses its Nucleus Estate. The permanent water source is not only critical for factory production and domestic use but also for the community surrounding the company. The soils are predominantly loamy. Sandy loams are mainly found on the uplands while clay loams are found on the lowlands.

RAW MATERIAL BASE

The company has a Nucleus Estate spanning 3,600ha and an Outgrower zone spanning 23,500ha. The Outgrower zone encompasses 47,000 farmers in total. Varieties of sugar cane grown include CO421, CO945, N14, EAK70-97, EAK70-76, KEN 82-472, D84-84, KEN82-808 and KEN83-737. The current sugar cane yields average 80 tones per hectare (TCH), which translate to 90-120 TCH per Plant Crop and 60-80 TCH per Ratoon.

To support the cane production programmes, the company provides extension services to farmers on proper crop husbandry through a network of outreach offices where farmers get information and advice on fertilizer, herbicide and seed cane usage. Weed control is integrated and includes mechanical, manual and chemical interventions.