Farmers lose millions in cane spillage annually

by KEPHER OTIENO

Sugarcane farmers are losing over Sh150 million annually due to pathetic state of roads, which accounts for 20 per cent of country’s annual sugar production.

Survey around the sugar belt found that farmers were incurring massive losses due to cane spillage while on transit to the local sugar factories, with no immediate respite in the offing.

Preliminary statistics by Kenya National Sugarcane Growers Association (Kesga) estimate the losses to over Sh100 million.

"We have quantified the loss into millions from our impact assessment report round the factories," says Kesga national secretary Samuel Anyango.

He says the roads have to be fixed to ease farmers’ huge investment losses, which threatened their huge cane investments.

Drive round the sugar belt reveals virtually most roads are in pitiful conditions, yet over the years despite billions of shillings released for maintenance and rehabilitation of the sugar farms.

Opening of road networks results in increased farming and economic activities, social benefits including access to schools, and health centres.

It also opens access to rural markets leading to better food security and improved livelihoods.

Research shows that cane delivered to the miller promptly within two to three days after harvesting yields high sucrose content.

But after deliveries made beyond three days produces low sucrose content yet the standard established that with the poor state of roads it takes more than a week to haul cane to factories.

This has irked farmers to question why the Kenya Roads Board and Kenya Sugar Board and sugar factories tasked with overseeing maintenance and rehabilitation are doing.

From Mumias, Muhoroni, Nzoia, Chemelil to Sony Sugar Awendo sugar belt, the situation is the same.

Farmers’ officials now claim that roads are robbing them of huge returns from their produce and want the matter urgently redressed or they stop remitting levy on cane.

Muhoroni Sugar Outgrowers company Chairman, Killion Osur, says appeals by farmers to the authorities to repair these roads have realised minimal or no impact at all.

"Our woes have been overlooked while we continue to suffer the brunt of poor roads, demoralising potential farmers from increasing crop investments," argues Osur.