By Etherly Barasa
Sugarcane farming is widely recognized as a potentially lucrative and rewarding venture. However, many small-scale farmers in the Western Region continue to face significant challenges that hinder their productivity and profitability. These challenges have raised serious concerns among farmers and stakeholders within the sector. This report highlights some of the key issues faced by small-scale sugarcane farmers and proposes practical solutions to address them
1. Delayed Permit Issuance by Mills
Many farmers experience delays in obtaining permits to harvest their mature sugarcane. This delay leads to over-maturation, where the cane starts to deteriorate, losing moisture and valuable tonnage, which negatively impacts the farmers' earnings.
2. Frustration Due to Corrupt Agents
Corruption among agents is a significant barrier for farmers, particularly in remote areas where direct access to mills is not possible. Some agents demand bribes to process permits, while others delay the process until they are paid.
3. Delayed Transportation of Cane
Even after receiving harvesting permits, farmers often face delays in securing transportation to deliver their sugarcane to the mill. This delay causes the harvested cane to deteriorate, losing moisture and quality, which results in financial losses for the farmers.
4. Extraneous Matter Penalties
Some mills impose penalties for extraneous matter (debris, leaves, etc.) in the harvested cane, even when farmers have made considerable efforts to properly detrash the cane. This practice has been viewed as unfair, particularly for farmers who take the time and effort to clean their cane.
5. High Transportation Fees
The high cost of transporting sugarcane to mills is a significant burden for many farmers, particularly those located far from the mills. These high fees eat into farmers' profits, leaving them with little income after deductions
6. Self-Financing Harvesting and Loading
Many farmers particularly in remote areas located far from the mill are required to finance the costs of harvesting and loading sugarcane, which can be difficult for some. While some farmers find this manageable, others struggle financially and would prefer the mill to cover these costs, with deductions made from the final payment.
7. Delayed Payments by Some Mills
Some mills take an extended period to process payments to farmers, which discourages farmers who have invested considerable time, effort, and resources into their crops. Delayed payments can create financial instability for farmers, further affecting their ability to reinvest in their farms.
8. High Input Costs, Including Fertilizer
Farmers often face high input costs, especially for fertilizers supplied by mills. The interest rates charged by mills on these inputs can be costly, further reducing the farmers' profits. In some cases, farmers find that they would have been better off purchasing inputs independently rather than through the mill.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Mills should streamline their permit approval process, establishing clear timelines for issuing harvest permits. Additionally, adopting a digital system for permit applications could improve efficiency and coordination, minimizing delays.
- Mills should monitor and regulate agents more strictly. A transparent reporting mechanism should be set up where farmers can report corrupt practices without fear of retaliation. Agents found engaging in corruption should face penalties or be removed from the process entirely.
- Mills should coordinate transportation logistics more effectively, ensuring timely pick-up of harvested cane. Establishing partnerships with reliable transporters and allowing farmers to schedule transportation in advance would help minimize delays and preserve cane quality.
- Mills should clarify and standardize the inspection process for extraneous matter, ensuring that penalties are applied fairly. Farmers should also be educated on the specific requirements for detrashing, and mills could consider reducing or waiving penalties for those who have demonstrated consistent efforts in detrashing their cane.
- Mills could work with transportation providers to negotiate lower rates or offer subsidies for farmers, especially those located further from the mills. Alternatively, establishing cooperative transportation systems would allow farmers to share resources and reduce individual transportation costs.
- Mills should consider covering the costs of harvesting and loading as part of the payment agreement. Alternatively, offering low-interest loans or financial assistance to farmers to cover these costs upfront could ease the financial burden.
- Mills should implement a more consistent and timely payment system to ensure that farmers receive their payments promptly. This could be achieved by setting fixed payment timelines and enforcing them through contractual agreements.
- Mills should offer more affordable input prices or reduce interest rates on inputs. Additionally, mills could introduce a system that allows farmers to purchase inputs at market rates, with the option of repaying later.
The challenges faced by small-scale sugarcane farmers in the Western Region require urgent attention and coordinated action from all stakeholders. By addressing issues such as delayed permits, corruption, high transportation costs, and delayed payments, the sector can become more efficient and sustainable. Implementing the recommendations outlined in this report would not only improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers but also enhance the overall productivity and profitability of the sugarcane industry.