Farmers and millers in talks to resolve sugarcane price dispute

Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr Paul Rono when he appeared before the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee over audit queries at Parliament on May 16, 2024 [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Stakeholders are in talks to establish a new pricing committee tasked with setting fair rates for sugarcane acquisition from farmers by millers.

The move follows a deadlock between millers and farmers regarding the pricing of sugarcane, with some millers delaying payments to farmers for up to three weeks. As farmers demand Sh5,900 per ton as per a court order, millers insist on paying Sh5,100 per ton.