Farmers from the western region of Kenya have been urged to plant more sugarcane to meet the need of sugar industries in the region and boost their living standards.
Speaking to farmers and sugarcane harvesters at Nabongo Cultural center in Mumias when giving seats and tents to farmers, a businessman known as Festus Fatamula said that sugarcane has been a source of income in the region and has really helped many people who live below poverty line to also meet their needs.
“Sugarcane has enabled many parents pay school fees for their children, I urge those farmers who have been uprooting their canes to plant afresh and be assured that when the company harvests your cane you will be paid in time.’ said Fatamula.
This comes after the government gave the sugar industries a boost financially to allow stable operations of the mills with a 1 billion grant.
Sugar industries had been affected in the operations for instance workers and farmers payment after harvesting their canes leading to farmers selling their canes to poachers.
Mr. Fatamula encouraged farmers to plant more canes because the type of the soil in western region favours mostly cane planting saying that they will never regret in the venture because the Mumias Sugar Company is on the right revival track.
Elsewhere Lugari Member of Parliament Ayub Savula has warned some of the officers of Butali and West Kenya sugar industries to stop demanding a certain fee from farmers before giving them permits for harvesting their sugar cane.
“It is very absurd to see these officers seeking a certain amount between Ksh. 1,500 and 2,000 even from old men and women so as to give them permits to allow them harvest their canes”, said Savula.
“Let us all unite and see that all these officers who are corrupt are rendered jobless so that you can get free permits for harvesting sugar cane” said Savula.
Savula warned against such character and promised that whoever will be caught in such corrupt deals will account for it alone.
