The Government Reports Major Gains in Sugar Mills’ Revival
Some sugar importers, however. Found guilty of smuggling were sternly warned, with the government increasing surveillance and enforcement at its borders.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
The Government Reports Major Gains in Sugar Mills’ Revival
The government reported significant progress in revitalizing the sugar industry shortly after the resumption of four previously dormant sugar mills six months after they were leased out. The reawakening of activity is lauded as one of the major leaps towards trying to restore a sector historically weighed down by mismanagement, heavy debt, and delays of payments to farmers.
Paul Ronoh, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, said Chemelil, Sony, Nzoia, and Muhoroni sugar factories have all started cane crushing, thus marking a turnaround for the industry critical to rural livelihoods and the national economy. He espoused these remarks during his tour of Chemelil sugar factory on Monday and further noted that the developments would boost farmers and surrounding communities.
“The revival of Chemelil and the other mills confirms that the government’s plan to restore the sugar sector is taking shape,” Ronoh observed, adding that thousands of households depend on the industry while it significantly contributes to the economic growth in sugar-growing regions.
Currently, Chemelil Sugar Factory, now under the management of Chatthe Group, is operating at about 50 percent of its installed capacity. The PS said the factory is aiming to ramp up production to full capacity and is expected to crush a total of around 3,500 metric tonnes of cane per day once operations stabilize.
Better Farmer Earnings and Industry Reforms
The resumption of milling has already brought some benefits to cane farmers from improved and predictable payments. According to Dr Ronoh, farmers are now earning up to Sh5,750 per tonne, which, he said, is the highest return the farmers have ever received, and they are being paid within a seven-day period.
“This is a major shift from the past, when farmers would wait for months to be paid,” he added that timely payments are rebuilding confidence in the sector and motivating farmers to keep on producing cane.
Within the reforms, the government has instructed all private millers to make five-year strategic blueprints to put Kenya in a position to meet its domestic sugar needs and slowly erode reliance on imports. However, Ronoh acknowledged that the limited cane supply is a major limitation to keeping production at the revived mills.
In response to this, the Kenya Sugar Research Institute was given the task of bringing on board 27 improved cane varieties that have fast maturity, high yield, and capacity to adapt to changing climatic conditions. In addition, farmers will be trained and supported technically so that they can improve their productivity and minimize losses occasioned by the cane varieties no longer in vogue.
“You will be seeing increased engagement with farmers through capacity building, enrolment of more farmers, and stronger collaboration between millers and growers,” Ronoh stated.
Cane Poaching and Illegal Importation
PS raised concern over the age-long cane-poaching, destruction of agricultural produce by arsonists, and the manipulation of weighing machines, which have affected farmer incomes. Weighing machines have been calibrated or put under examination by government teams, while security agencies are working with task forces to protect cane farms.
A task force was established with a police unit to monitor and protect cane in the farms, so that farmers do not lose their produce to arsonists who burn plantations, Ronoh said.
Some sugar importers, however. Found guilty of smuggling were sternly warned, with the government increasing surveillance and enforcement at its borders.
“The government remains committed to safeguarding this sector and restoring it to stability,” Ronoh stated and assured that the forward march recorded by the four revived mills bodes well for the future of the sugar industry.
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