Farmers blame Kesref for low production of improved cane varieties

MUMIAS, KENYA: Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (Kesref) has been called upon to scale up multiplication of new high-yield cane varieties to guarantee farmers improved yields.
The Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers Deputy Secretary General Simon Wesechere challenged Kesref to roll out a mega seed cane multiplication venture with focus on recommended varieties in all sugarcane growing areas to ensure farmers have enough supply.
Speaking during cane farmers stakeholders meeting in Mumias East, Wesechere took issue with the research agency saying Kesref has abdicated its responsibilities to release new varieties and give them out in plenty to reach all farmers.
"It is regrettable that the agency has in the past left that role to multiply new varieties to sugar factories which in turn end up doing a poor job that result in a drop in the yield since recommended procedures are not followed to the letter in developing the seed cane," argued Wesechere.
According to him, Kesref must involve farmers directly in seed cane bulking process by contracting some of them to undertake the activity on the farms.
"The foundation can enter an agreement with some farmers just the way Kenya seed does by contracting maize farmers to multiply seeds," he explained.
Some of the varieties Kesref is expected to multiply and release to farmers include CO945, CO421, CO617, EAK 7335, N14 and the early maturing KEN 83-737.
Wesechere said the mentioned varieties are tolerant to erratic weather patterns, diseases and pests.
"They have high sucrose content as well and given that a new payment system based on sucrose content is in the offing, farmers stand to benefit immensely by switching from the old variety."
He maintained that leaving the onerous responsibility of releasing seed cane to farmers by factories could be a costly venture to both players.