Sugarcane farmers have demanded the government set up a new pricing committee to help them earn profits from increases in sugar prices, reports Business Daily Africa.
The term of the previous committee expired in December and the delay in setting up a committee has led us to leave at the mercy of millers, said farmers.
Sugar Campaign for Change (Sucam) coordinator Michael Arum said, “It is unfortunate that the prices of cane have remained stagnant since August last year despite the hike in the sugar prices.”
The prices of the sugar are reviewed after every three months by the committee and the nine-member committee after the last review approved Sh4,584 per tonne.
Sugar millers, both private and public have been forced to bow to the market demand to survive in the market and have adjusted prices accordingly.
The Sugarcane Pricing Committee uses a simple formula to ensure that farmers get direct benefits from improved sugar prices.
Charles Atyang’, chairman of the Kenya Association of Sugarcane and Allied Products said that the millers are colluding to pay farmers at lower rates.
