The Government has set aside Ksh. 546M for the purposes of injecting a new lease of life into the sugar sector. Agriculture principal secretary Joseph Rono said the funds are part of the appropriated budget in the Financial Year 2024/2025 for Support to Sugar Reforms.
Rono said the funds are to be disbursed to a number of public sugar firms in the country.
The PS who was speaking in Kisumu at the close of the Sugar Symposium in Kisumu said that out of the total amount of Ksh. 150 Million will to Chemelil Sugar Company while Kshs. 150 Million will go to Muhoroni Sugar Company.
Mr Rono said an additional Kshs. 150 Million will be disbursed to Sony Sugar Company while the remaining balance of Ksh. 96 Million will be channeled to Nzoia Sugar Company to pay one month salary for workers and maintenance of the factory.
The PS emphasized the government’s commitment to revitalizing the sugar sector.
Rono urged cane farmers in the country and other stakeholders to embrace value addition in order to conform to changing trends.
He urged the youth to take up cane farming noting that the activity has for a long time been associated with the older generation.
Kenya Sugar Board Chairman Eng. Nicholas Gumbo proposed that cane farmers should be given bonuses just like their counterparts in the tea and coffee sectors. Gumbo lamented that cane farmers are only paid for cane delivered.
Gumbo says farmers must be ready to align with new technologies in cane development.
“This is a very old industry, but it has the whole processes, from the growing, transportation, processing to products, all that must now be responsive to the contemporary realities of our time,” he said.
He said any farmer willing to venture into cane farming should study the guide and explore sugarcane byproducts as alternative resources. The byproducts, such as fuel, he says have the potential to address climate change while promoting sustainability.
This year’s symposium is set to come to an end today, having brought together policymakers, farmers, millers, researchers and industry players. KSB Acting Chief Executive Officer Jude Chesire lauded GIZ for stepping in to empower farmers through a well-researched guide.
Chesire said there is potential for the production of more sugar and predicted that reforms initiated by the government of President William Ruto, will go a long way to uplift farmers economically. “With the new Sugar Act, we believe Kenya in the coming years will be self-reliant and start exporting excess sugar,” he said.
YOU MAY ALSO READ:
The Acting CEO said the country is currently producing quality sugar, owing to support from the European Union. “Our sugar can be consumed anywhere in the world, we will be exporting any excesses to other markets within our region and into the EU,” he said.
A director at AFA, Hon Samuel Ong’ou, said the sector is undergoing transformation and with the new Act, challenges affecting farmers will be dealt with. Ong’ou lauded President Ruto for the vigor, with which he is driving the sector.
“Right now, we already have an acting CEO for KSB, complete with its chairman, this shows that President Ruto is keen on reviving this sector,” he said.
By Fredrick Odiero
Get more stories from our website: Sacco Review.
For comments and clarifications, write to: Saccoreview@
Kindly follow us via our social media pages on Facebook: Sacco Review Newspaper for timely updates
Stay ahead of the pack! Grab the latest Sacco Review newspaper!
