Late cane harvesting worries farmers

Two sugar cane millers are experiencing a cane glut. In addition, the price per tonne of cane has dropped drastically from Sh4,500 to Sh3,250.

Farmers are now a worried lot that they stand the risk of not harvesting the cane on time. Delayed harvesting implies that there will be no income on time to enable them take their children to school, come next month.

Butali Sugarcane Farmers Chairman William Kopi said both small-scale and large-scale farmers are being considered when issuing permits.

“We have been having a challenge in getting permits but cane harvesting has been streamlined. There was so much cane, and permits were being issued to farmers with cane of 30 months and above, then it came down to 25 months. Most farmers who are complaining have cane which is less than 24 months,” Mr Kopi said.

He added: “With streamlined permits, there will be no issue. Both millers should satisfy all farmers in their zones before going to others.”

West Kenya OutGrowers Chairman Daniel Ondenyi said the sugar factories were fleecing farmers by charging them exorbitantly for services and inputs extended to them on credit.

“We have enough mature cane, which is yet to be harvested but farmers are not getting permits because of corruption. The sugar price is high but the miller is frustrating farmers. Sh7.50 is being deducted per tonne as supervision fee yet everything is being done by the farmer,” Mr Ondenyi said.

He said cane farming is a business and farmers should be enlightened on against brokers. “The parliamentary Committee on Agriculture should come and investigate,” he said.

A farmer, Gilbert Musungu, noted that he was forced to part with a bribe for him to get a permit to harvest his cane.

“At times when the situation is tough and the supply is too high, I am forced to sell cane at a throw way price to jaggery producers,” Mr Musungu said.

Butali Sugar Company Finance Officer Dan Kiyondi said right time to harvest cane is between 20 to 24 months. West Kenya MD Tejveer Rai could not be reached.

Deputy Governor Philip Kutima assured farmers that their cane would be harvested soon.