Stakeholders in the sugar industry tell off politicians

Sugar cane farmers and workers yesterday told politicians from Western region to stop politicizing the reforms in the sugar sector. The farmers accused politicians opposed to reforms of having the sole motive of destabilizing the sugar industry, bringing it into disrepute and cause it irreparable damage. While welcoming the reforms in the sugar and agriculture sector in general the sugar sector stakeholders under the banner Kenya National Alliance of Sugarcane Farmers Organizations (KNASFO) lauded the gazzettement of the Crops Sugar General Regulations 2020 and the leasing of the five-state owned sugar mills. Led by the Chairman of KNASFO Saulo Busolo, the stakeholders accused politicians of interfering with the process of reviving the industry which had collapsed. “The self-serving, political tenderpreneurs and hustlers think they can come into the political arena and make their name on wild statements about the sugar industry,” said Mr Busolo. He however lauded Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and for standing firm and pushing for the reforms through the National Sugar Task Force Report. Busolo while speaking in Kisumu said that the move by government will address policy issues in the sugar industry that are competitiveness, productivity and efficiency. He pointed that with the surety of a ready market for the locally produced sugar as a result of the ban on imported sugar, the industry will achieve self-sufficiency with a surplus for export. “Sugarcane farmers will be able to produce 9.89 million metric tonnes of cane, being millers’ annual demand to process 1.09 million metric tonnes of sugar,” said Mr Busolo. He added that with the revival of state owned sugar factories, competition for raw materials will likely push the cane price high to the advantage of the sugarcane farmers. On their part Secretary General of Kenya Union of Sugarcane plantation workers Francis Wangara and nominated Kisumu MCA Lynette Muga told politicians to push for reforms that will help the sugar sector instead of engaging in ideas that will drag the industry behind. In particular, Wangara asked politicians to leave the industry alone and let Government implement sugar reforms long sought for by farmers and millers. He called on Government to factor in Sh3 billion owed to workers in the envisaged Leasing of Government owned sugar factories. “Politicians who are opposing sugar sector reforms are the disgruntled ones who were in government but have now that been relieved of their duties. They are opposed to the Handshake which has ushered in necessary changes that will prosper the sugar industry,” said Wangara. Muga stated that he was happy that finally the handshake between the president and opposition Chief Raila Odinga had brought good things for sugar cane farmers. “The handshake has brought the reforms we wanted especially on banning importation of brown sugar and leasing of government sugar mills. Politicians like Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali who are opposing ban of sugar imports should tell us his motives and whether he is also an importer,” said Mrs Muga. At the same time, th association also called on the leadership of the Lake Region Economic Bloc in collaboration with sugar millers and cane farmers to commence a joint work program and engage critical stakeholders as well as related trade matters to protect the local sugar market. Further they are also pushing for an advancement and creation of additional market opportunities in value-added products such as white and industry sugars, co-generation and even high cultural heritage .

Stakeholders in the sugar industry tell off politicians

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Stakeholders in the sugar industry tell off politicians

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