Do not uproot sugarcane, farmers warned

Cane farmers contracted by Mumias Sugar Company have been asked not to uproot cane since normal operations have resumed at the company.

Farmers have been threatening to uproot cane from their farms citing frustrations ranging from poor pay to delayed payments.

The company had also stopped offering farm inputs including fertilisers to farmers due to financials constraints.

But now Mumias is back on its feet after the Government's Sh1 billion bail-out. The miller also used part of the money for maintenance of dilapidated machines.

Moses Owino, the company's corporate affairs and communications manager, confirmed that the factory is back to normal operations.

"The company is back to its normal crushing capacity of about 7,000 tonnes per day. We have paid farmers their dues and currently we pay them within two weeks after they have delivered their cane," said Owino.

He said the company is also in the process of developing its cane zone by contracting more farmers.

"The company is on the right track towards its full revitalisation and farmers should not get worried and uproot their cane. I assure those who intended to uproot cane that things are better and we are committed to changing the fortunes of the company back to where it was before it faced challenges," he said.

Another local leader, Kholera MCA Abel Mutimba asked farmers not to uproot their cane, saying the company's fortunes are set to improve soon.

"With the new management at the company, the factory's performance and fortunes will soon improve and if you are uprooting sugarcane, where will you be when others will be smiling all the way to the bank?" Mutimba posed.

Farmers like Lupesia Komesa from Butere had threatened to uproot their cane. Mr Komesa said he is tired of being asked to pay the company yet he supplied the company with cane.