Sugarcane farmers accuse AFA of 'siding with cartels' as prices drop

A worker applies fertiliser to a sugarcane plantation at Musokoto village in Busia County. [File, Standard]

Sugarcane farmers have expressed their frustrations with the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), accusing it of siding with cartels to exploit them.

The farmers cited a recent announcement by the interim Sugarcane Pricing Committee that reduced sugarcane buying prices to Sh5,100 from Sh6,050 per tonne.

The farmers thanked High Court Judge Eric Ogola for stopping the AFA and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) from increasing sugarcane prices and importing more sugar.