"We expect that the factory to cut transport costs by half," Mr Bett, who produces 60 to 70 tonnes a year, said.
Mr Bernard Soi, the West Valley Sugar Factory managing director, said the plant was 85 per cent complete. "It will have a daily crushing capacity of 1,250 tonnes of cane, which can be expanded to 2,500 tonnes," he said.
The company has registered 3,800 farmers - who cumulatively own 10,000 acres of cane - in Soin/ Sigowet, Ainamoi and Tindiret constituencies.
"We will launch a cane development programme to provide inputs such as seed and fertiliser. This will increase production over the next one to two years," said Mr Soi.