Farmers urge Ruto to assent to Sugar Bill, review prices
Business
By
Anne Atieno
| Aug 12, 2024
Sugarcane farmers have urged President William Ruto to sign the Sugar Bill 2022 and have cane prices reviewed.
The farmers say the Bill when assented to will help protect both farmers and millers.
According to Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers chairman Ezra Olodi, the law will help regulate the sugar industry.
READ MORE
TSC Amendment Bill, 2024: What MPs want
No exam retake: It's do or die for Form Three class as 8-4-4 ends
In pictures: Valentine's Day, the Standard Group way
Mudavadi jets to Addis for AU meet on water security
Vietnam partners with G42 to build national AI and cloud infrastructure
Faith Odhiambo: Two years of bold leadership at LSK
Junior Starlets players dominate Kenya U20 team
Why Coast traders want Senate to throw out Tobacco Bill
Warrant of arrest issued against billionaire Joginder Singh in Sh400m land case
Majority of Kenyans dissatisfied with new CBC curriculum, Infotrak survey
"We are pleading with the President to do what he promised. He needs to sign the Bill for us to get the Sugar Act," Mr Olodi said.
Olodi says the sugar industry runs without any rules or regulations and that makes prices go down every year while the cost of production rises.
The Sugar Bill was passed by the National Assembly and approved by the Senate and is only waiting for the President to assent to it.
The farmers also pleaded with the government to consider reviewing cane prices, which was reduced from Sh5,125 to Sh4,950.
The farmers want cane prices to be fair so that they can also benefit.
"The cost of production is high. Those who took their cane to factories did so when the cost of production was high. When these prices are reduced, the farmers make losses," Olodi said.
Additionally, the sugarcane farmers want a committee for cane pressing put in place which, they believe, will allow them to sell their cane at fair prices.
Olodi, however, thanked the government for writing off Sh117 billion owed by Miwani, Nzoia, Chemelil, Muhoroni, and Sony Sugar companies.