Source: The Standard
Writer: Patrick Beja and Philip Mwakio
Coast-based Kwale International Sugar Company Ltd (KISCOL) reports increased sugarcane output, attributed to good rains and improved farming practices among its 1,500 contracted farmers. Chairperson of Kwale Farmers Sugarcane Association, David Ndirangu, highlighted the steady growth of the milling plant’s operations, which expanded from six active months in 2023 to nine in 2024, with projections for 11 months in 2025. The region’s ideal climate and government reforms, including subsidized fertilizer, have further boosted production. Agriculture PS Paul Ronoh announced that Kenya is now self-sufficient in sugar, eliminating the need for imports, with prospects of becoming a sugar-exporting country. Despite these gains, Ndirangu called on the government to write off sugarcane loans in Kwale, as was done for Western Kenya, to further incentivize production.
OPINION: Could targeted financial support, including loan write-offs, for Kwale sugar farmers further enhance Kenya's sugar production and export potential?
RESPONSE: Supporting financial stability for Kwale sugar farmers can amplify Kenya's production growth. Here are five key actions:
- Loan Forgiveness Programs: Extend loan write-offs to sugarcane farmers in Kwale, creating a level playing field with their Western counterparts.Incentives for
- Expansion: Provide financial incentives or grants for farmers to expand cane acreage and invest in high-yielding varieties.
- Enhanced Irrigation Support: Develop irrigation infrastructure tailored to Kwale’s hot climate, ensuring consistent yields even in dry seasons.
- Market Access Initiatives: Establish partnerships to facilitate local and international market access for Kwale’s sugar, capitalizing on surplus production.
- Capacity Building Programs: Conduct farmer training programs focusing on modern sugarcane farming techniques and post-harvest handling to maximize profitability.
Sourced by: Rosemary Wambui of The Kenya Sugar Board