East Africa’s largest miller Mumias Sugar blames cane zone ownership disputes with rivals and weather swings for payment and harvesting delays
The Kakamega-based company pinpointed competitors West Kenya Sugar Company and Busia Sugar Industry, alleging that overlapping claims have led to complaints lodged with regulators and interruptions to harvesting operations, including the harassment of harvesting teams.
Kenya sugar industry workers’ union threatens nationwide strike over $15 million salary arrears
According to the union, total outstanding dues – including benefits and arrears – amount to Ksh10.8 billion ($84 million)
Sucrose-rich Chinese sugarcane variety that matures in seven months on verge of replacing ‘lazy-man’s’ variety in western Kenya
Crevation International Limited Marketing Manager Penina Karimi observed that with proper land preparation, choice of the right varieties, and good market planning, sugarcane cultivation in Kenya can provide steady income and attractive returns.
As sugarcane farmers in western Kenya dump the ‘poor man’s crop’, counterparts in Rift Valley are embracing the ‘lazy man’s crop’
The construction of a new factory means that up to 10,000 additional acres of land will be put under the crop to meet the raw materials requirement for the miller to operate optimally. Consequently, a substantial number of farmers are shifting from growing maize to sugarcane, attracted by the profitability and ready market.
