Members of Parliament have called for urgent intervention to revive the ailing sugar industry in the country.
In a debate in the National Assembly, the lawmakers highlighted the industry potential to create jobs and boost the economy.
During the debate on a motion sponsored by Matungu MP Peter Nabulindo the lawmakers’ expressed deep concern over the decline of sugarcane farming in Western Kenya, leading to a surge in sugar imports.
The MP expressed deep concern over the sharp decline in the industry, which has forced local millers to operate below capacity and increased reliance on sugar imports, adversely affecting the balance of trade.
The MPs called the National Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, to review sugar development policies.
It also proposed that every investor-miller should allocate specific funds for sugarcane farming development, incentivizing farmers to return to sugarcane production.
READ ALSO:
Over 800,000 youth to benefit from World Bank funded project
“We need to support our farmers to take up sugarcane farming again, we need to find ways to make sugarcane farming profitable for farmers in this country,” Nabulindo said.
The MP also called for increased investment in research to develop early-maturing sugarcane varieties with high sucrose content to boost smallholder farmers’ yields. The old breed of cane takes 24 months to mature.
MP Geoffrey Odanga underscored the need for effective implementation of policies to support both farmers and millers.
The legislators highlighted the plight of sugarcane farmers, who have been forced to abandon their farms due to low returns and called for urgent need for financial support and incentives to encourage farmers to return to sugarcane cultivation.
By Obegi Malack
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!
