Boon as cane firm pays dues to farmers

Christmas has come early for thousands of sugarcane farmers set to receive money owed to them by Nzoia Sugar Company. 

About 5,000 farmers will benefit after the government released Sh153 million to pay for the 2017/18 sugarcane deliveries.

The firm’s Managing Director Michael Makokha made the announcement yesterday through a press statement that 4,977 farmers who missed out on the first payment of Sh579 million disbursed in 2019, will get their pay.

“In March 2019, the government cleared first batch of farmers' payments totaling Sh426 million for 12,292 farmers leaving the second batch of 4,977 farmers waiting in anticipation for their pay,” read the statement. 

While lauding the timely payment, Mr Makokha said the move would curb the cane poaching menace, which had become rife due to delayed payment concerns.

Basic needs

He said the company has put in place strategies to ensure the remaining outstanding balance of Sh175 million for deliveries made from November 2018 to April 2019 is cleared as soon as factory operations resume.

Farmers welcomed the gesture saying the money would enable them meet basic needs and pay school fees for their children early next year.

“The money could not have come at a better right time. I was in a tight spot with nowhere to look to for financial assistance,” said Florence Naliaka, a farmer from Kimilili constituency.

“As a company, we are grateful to the government for releasing the Sh579 million, which will be paid directly to farmers’ bank accounts,” said the MD.

Mr Makokha has been encouraging farmers to plant sugarcane to guarantee the miller reliable supply of raw materials. He assured them that ongoing repairs were at advanced stages and crushing would resume soon.