Sorghum farmers facing Sh3b loss as brewers shy off deal due to new tax

Alice Achieng’ at her home in Pap Nyadiel, Alego, Siaya County. She is among the farmers who were contracted by EABL but have been forced to go back to mixed farming after Treasury introduced 50 per cent tax on Senator Keg. [PHOTO: PHILLIP ORWA/STANDARD]

Thousands of sorghum farmers are staring at losses amounting to billions of shillings due to lack of market and storage facilities.

The more than 25,000 farmers could lose up to Sh3.4 billion by end of this year. Stakeholders have raised alarm over the huge stockpiles of sorghum stored in warehouses and farms that even the middlemen previously accused of exploiting farmers by offering ridiculously low prices, have been unable to exhaust.