Farmers in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties are up in arms after Trans Nzoia Governor Patrick Khaemba proposed that farmers in his County should abandon sugarcane farming and fully embrace maize farming. Led by Wafula Mukopi, the farmers expressed their displeasure over the sentiments saying being owners of the farms they are at liberty to engage in any farmers activities they want.
He added that they had previously presented a petition to the Governor over the challenges they faced in maize farming saying sugarcane farming has presented a better option to them and they cannot abandon it anytime soon. His sentiments were echoed by another farmer David Opala who said the parameters used to gauge that sugarcane farming is dragging farmers to poverty is not true, noting that those who have engaged in it are not complaining. He added that the national government is putting in place measures to streamline the sugar industry including banning imported sugar saying these are measures meant to help boost the sugar sector for the benefit of the farmer.
Gregory Nabukwesi another sugarcane farmer says the government has also put in place policies that are meant to bring sanity in the sugar sector saying they are counting on the leaders to ensure they are implemented to the latter. Ojiago Gidali urged the Governor to be considerate saying after his exit from politics he can as well engage in sugarcane farming as it is beneficial.
