Woes facing the sugar industry are not about to abate after a section of private millers in western Kenya disowned recent draft regulations that among others, set zoning as one of the pillars. They now say the rules are meant to benefit State firms at the expense of privately owned factories.
And now two organisations both championing interests of the sector are bitterly torn apart with one being accused of presenting views that had not agreed upon. On Thursday, the private companies sided with a group of farmers opposed to the rules going as far as threatening to seek legal redress to ensure they are not implemented.
On Monday Kenyan took to social Media to vent their frustrations to the government in a collective plea to save Sugar farmers.
Other farmers planting other crops are not subjected to such punitive measures. So why is the farmer in Western Kenya shackled this way or they are children of a lesser god? Tafakari hayo. #SaveSugarFarmer pic.twitter.com/pts3UqIyib
— Mac Otani 🇰🇪 (@MacOtani) September 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/DjSoxxy/status/1036512869720834049
If you ask me, I’ll dare say what is killing state millers is not zones and poaching excuses but poor management of the state milling firms which in essence impoverishing cane farmers. #SaveSugarFarmer pic.twitter.com/OeedYYscNd
— Mac Otani 🇰🇪 (@MacOtani) September 3, 2018
In Mauritius sugarcane is presently cultivated on 72 000 hectares, representing 85% of the arable land in Mauritius. On average, 600 000 tonnes sugar is produced annually #SaveSugarFarmer @OliverMathenge
— KENYA'S DREAMâ„¢ 🇰🇪 (@kipkirui_di_don) September 3, 2018
The zoning cannot be a way to #SaveSugarFarmer. Not in an economy where we have a free market regime of willing buyer, willing seller.
— Oliver Mathenge (@OliverMathenge) September 3, 2018
With Smugglers targeted
Farmers should not have to pay for the mistakes of others. Farmers do not smuggle sugar, they are not responsible for corrupt management, all they do is farm take their cane to mismanaged factories never to be paid.#SaveSugarFarmer
— Brian Khaniri (@BKhaniri) September 3, 2018
State millers have become a place where political favors are returned; by hiring more receptionists, accountants than they need. Also cash gifts to politicians are common. These inefficiencies mean that they can’t compete even if they had zones. #SaveSugarFarmer
— Roncliffe Odit (@RoncliffeOdit) September 3, 2018