The Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers in Ndhiwa Sub-County have raised complaints on failure of the Sukari Industry to transport harvested sugarcane for processing, leading to massive losses.
Speaking to KNA, the Secretary of Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers, Ezra Okoth, said that the sugarcane that were harvested by some Millers who failed to collect them have dried up in the farms and are now being turned into firewood.
Okoth further said the farmers have incurred a lot of losses due to the dried sugarcane in the gardens since they were expecting more income from their harvests.
He revealed that they have raised the issue several times with the Sugar Directorate who failed to hold a meeting with the Millers and the farmers to find solutions to the problem.
Okoth requested the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Agriculture, Peter Munya, to intervene because there is sugarcane that has gone over 40 months but has not been harvested yet they have attained the maturity time.
Maurice Angira, one of the farmers said their sugarcane was harvested last month and have not been collected from the fields to date.
Angira added that even though the sugarcane are harvested for by the Company, still they are faced with challenges since they are not consistent in the services offered to the farmers.
He appealed to the Governor of Homa Bay County, Cyprian Awiti, to intervene and solve their problems since they need money to cater for their daily needs.
By Emily Adhiambo and Davis Langat
