21 new cane varieties unveiled

Kenya: The Government has distributed 21 sugarcane varieties which mature faster and have high sucrose content.

It has also started the installing sugarcane-testing systems to ensure farmers are paid based on sucrose content as opposed to the current weight-based system.

Speaking in Chemelil Sugar Company on Saturday, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei said the varieties are already undergoing multiplication research in Kisumu.

"We want to ensure all farmers get enough of the new varieties. Since we are shifting from weight-based payment system, we will be releasing the varieties in coming weeks to ensure farmers get value for their money," he said, adding that by December this year, farmers will be paid based on sucrose content.

Mr Koskei revealed the Government has already tendered for the machines to be used in the testing systems, which will be installed in all mills across the country.

The varieties are disease-resistant and have a maturity period of 10 months compared to local ones which take 18 months. Cane varieties with high sucrose content are known to depreciate in value once harvested and need to be ferried to the mills within seven days as opposed to the bcurrent situation where sugarcane lies in farms for much longer.