The Members of the National Assembly urged the revival of measures that would ensure Kenya’s sugar industry, which is falling, works to its huge potential in creating jobs and driving growth, reports the Nairobi Law Monthly.
This was the concern raised in a parliamentary session on Wednesday, which saw increased sugar importation at the expense of the dwindling state of sugarcane farming in Western Kenya. The debate settled on a motion fronted by Matungu MP Peter Nabulindo, stressing that before it began to shrink, sugarcane farming had been a key driver of Kenya’s economy.
Nabulindo highlighted that sugarcane farming was once a key contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a major source of employment. However, he expressed alarm over the industry’s steep decline, which has left local mills operating below capacity and forced the country to rely more heavily on sugar imports, thus harming the balance of trade.
The motion called on the national government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, to reassess and update sugar development policies. It also suggested that investor-millers should set aside dedicated funds for the development of sugarcane farming, to encourage farmers to return to sugarcane production and boost overall cane yield.
“We have established factories, but we need to support our farmers to take up sugarcane farming again. We need to find ways to make sugarcane farming profitable for farmers in this country,” Nabulindo urged.
Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, who seconded the motion, stressed the need for greater investment in research to develop early-maturing sugarcane varieties with higher sucrose content, aiming to increase the yields of smallholder farmers.
“We still have the old breeds of cane that take 24 months to mature. We need to increase investment in research to develop early maturing sugarcane,” Kalasinga said.
Nyando MP Jared Okello pointed out the outdated machinery and financial challenges faced by public sugar mills, underscoring the importance of proper funding and management within the sector.
Matayos MP Geoffrey Odanga emphasized the need for effective implementation of policies to support both farmers and millers, stressing that this is crucial for the industry’s recovery.
