₦airaland Forum

Necessity, it is said, is the mother of all inventions, and no one knows this better than Mr Michael Kimuhu. Having brooded over an idea to make sugarcane juice for six years, he got tired of waiting for the right time to come and for the right equipment to be made. A retired health worker, he understood all the health benefits that could be derived from sugarcane.

Most of the would-be beneficiaries were not able to chew cane owing to their different circumstances. “The old people greatly benefit from sugarcane, yet they cannot chew raw cane. Children, too, can get a lot of nutrients from cane. But their teeth and jaws cannot possibly handle it,” Mr Kimuhu explains.

It is this realisation that made him aware of the necessity to acquire a sugarcane crusher. Like other start-up ventures, his innovation journey has not been smooth. On one occasion, for example, he had to sit in an equipment manufacturing firm, and explain the products he had in mind to the engineers.

Eventually, the engineers were able to develop a processing unit, which is specifically designed for boiling and stabilising sugarcane juice. On another occasion, he had to discard a faulty product, which he had ordered to be developed at a significant cost. The challenges notwithstand sell the juice commercially.

His value addition journey was not initially conceptualised as a profit-making venture. Rather, it was inspired by the need to have more people benefit from the nutrients contained in sugarcane.

“I used to crush cane manually, boil it and give it out to whoever I came across”, Mr Kimuhu, who is the lead secretary for the Kenya Older Persons Advocacy Forum, says. Interestingly, what started as a desire to help the old has led to the processing of sugarcane juice, which has interestingly, found a ready market in the most unlikely population – lovers of alcoholic drinks. Apparently, the juice treats hangovers .

According to Mr Kimuhu, many people do not know that sugarcane is an ideal source of calcium. It also contains nutrients, which, he says, cleanse the body and build immunity against several diseases.

He has been working with food scientists and a professor at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, who confirmed all the health benefits after analysing his product. Suca Processors – Mr Kimuhu’s company, gets sugarcane from Kisii County.

The region has two cane varieties namely Kituma and Kampala. He prefers the two because they guarantee him consistency in taste. Other parts of the country, especially central Kenya, do not grow these varieties. He crushes cane, processes it in specially designed equipment, and packages the juice in its natural form.

From one kilogramme of cane, he derives 600 milligrams of sugarcane juice, which is then diluted with purified water in order to fit consumers’ tastes and preferences. The final product has a one-year shelf life, yet, no additives or preservatives are used.

His target market is youth. The juice is selling well in Meru and Garissa among miraa chewers and in Murang’a. The product also retails in supermarkets and other outlets. It has been a year since he commenced commercial production.

Mr Kimuhu cannot quantify his returns, but says business is good despite market entry challenges. A 300ml bottle sells for Sh30 (N60) , while a half litre retails at Sh50 (N100). Sugarcane juice is not the only product he is keen on.

His sugarcane marmalade is awaiting approval by the Kenya Bureau of Standards. To him, the success of his innovations is just an incentive that inadvertently came his way. His greatest joy, however, comes from realising that he has demonstrated that value-addition is possible.

He hires 12 casual labourers, who work in the processing plant for 14 days a month. He is happy sugarcane farmers appreciate that he opened up one more avenue through which they can sell their produce.

Nice one. Innovative.

It go sweet.

wow!

A good biz idea. Thanks for sharing.

l believe we have Nigerian engineers who can come up which such production line. An Entrepreneur can set up his production unit around sugar-cane producing areas and ship the finished products across the Country. Nigeria is a very huge market which salivates foreigners.

Wow! Great thinking, great idea.

Pavore9:
l believe we have Nigerian engineers who can come up which such production line. An Entrepreneur can set up his production unit around sugar-cane producing areas and ship the finished products across the Country. Nigeria is a very huge market which salivates foreigners.

Interesting been working on it since last year!tasted it there in Dar!sometimes with lime or lemon!

Menace2Society:
Interesting been working on it since last year!tasted it there in Dar!sometimes with lime or lemon!

Don't give up on it because when you finally succeed, the fulfilment will worth the stress.

Pavore9:
l believe we have Nigerian engineers who can come up which such production line. An Entrepreneur can set up his production unit around sugar-cane producing areas and ship the finished products across the Country. Nigeria is a very huge market which salivates foreigners.

sir plz can u help me confirm the price he sells @ sir and the cost of importing it to nigeria thanks sir

This is challenging task that motivates people to endure their present situation to achieve their vision in life;hence it is this type of motivating piece that should be on FP not some boob bearing ladies!

To the inventor,I say kudos and wish him more inspiration to invent more in other areas.

I suggest the mods to be visiting this other sections too move interesting articles like this FP.

Pavore9:
l believe we have Nigerian engineers who can come up which such production line. An Entrepreneur can set up his production unit around sugar-cane producing areas and ship the finished products across the Country. Nigeria is a very huge market which salivates foreigners.

Hi Pavore9,

would you be able to provide contacts to Mr Michael Kimuhu? I have been working on this idea as well for a long time but am hitting dead end with extending shelf life of sugarcane juice. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Warm Regards,
dbkim

dbkim:
Hi Pavore9,

would you be able to provide contacts to Mr Michael Kimuhu? I have been working on this idea as well for a long time but am hitting dead end with extending shelf life of sugarcane juice. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Warm Regards,
dbkim

Abeg to track kimuhu's contact go involve several phone calls. I will see what l can do.