Kenyan Sugarcane growers in Central region calls for more subsidies

(2 minutes read)

·        Sugarcane farmers in Central region of Kenya   urged the government to give parity in treatment with growers in Western and Nyanza regions

·        With the government accommodation, they argue that they could  take the sugarcane industry, which is only valued at Sh3.5 billion in the region now, to a  Sh20 billion enterprise

·        The growers want that the government should allow them to make molasses, wines and juices

Sugarcane farmers in the Central region of Kenya   urged the government to give parity in treatment with growers in Western and Nyanza regions. With the government accommodation, they argue that they could  take the sugarcane industry, which is only valued at Sh3.5 billion in the region now, to a  Sh20 billion enterprise.  The growers want the government to allow them   to make molasses, wines and juices.

Farmers are demanding input subsidies, credit and creation of facilities for value addition. Between 2017 and 2020, there were 8,850 registered association members from Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Embu, Nyeri, Kiambu and Nyandarua counties.

The sector employs at least 10, 000 people, who are involved in brokering, wholesale and retail cane in area market centres. By extending government subsidies and permission to operate widely, sugarcane growers in the Central Region believe that they can upscale the production, thereby employment and revenue to the government.