Sugar production in the country is facing ongoing difficulties as farmers threaten to temporarily stop delivering sugarcane to factories following the announcement of new prices.
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) set the new sugarcane price at Sh4,950 per ton for August 2024.
This decision comes after the temporary sugarcane price committee expired and a new committee has not yet been appointed due to the recent cabinet changes.
Jude Chesire, the Acting Director of AFA, explained that the lack of a minister to appoint a new committee contributed to the timing of the price announcement.
Farmers, represented by Charles Atyang, have vowed to halt deliveries from August 12 if the new prices are implemented.
Atyang criticized the price announcement, claiming that farmers were not consulted and that the new rates are unfair.
“The letter announcing the new prices must be withdrawn immediately.
The price planning committee had agreed to review the rates, and what we have received is unacceptable,” Atyang stated.
He argued that the rising cost of production, which is currently Sh6,500 per ton, contrasts sharply with the declining price of sugarcane.
This discrepancy is discouraging farmers who have invested heavily in sugarcane production with the expectation of earning a viable income.
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