KENYA – Sugarcane farmers in the Nyando Sugar Belt have proposed a two-year delay before implementing the Quality-Based Cane Payment System (QBCPS).
The farmers, who gathered for a public participation session on the QBCPS Regulations 2023, expressed both optimism and concerns regarding the new payment method, which will base payments on the sucrose content of the cane.
Atyang, a farmer from Muhoroni, expressed support for the new regulations, stating that they would protect farmers from exploitation by millers.
“Millers are stealing from us; the new method will absolutely address that concern,” he said.
Atyang added that the shift to sucrose-based payments would encourage farmers to add value to their sugarcane.
While the farmers generally welcomed the changes, some proposed delaying the rollout for two years to allow time for cane preparation.
“Give us two years so that we can prepare our cane for sucrose content payments,” said tagged by Capital Business.
She noted that although farmers are ready to embrace the new payment system, rushing its implementation could lead to challenges.
Richard Magero, Deputy Director at the Agriculture and Food Authority, assured farmers that the government had developed several high-sucrose cane varieties to assist in the transition.
He said 27 locally bred varieties, known for their disease resistance, early maturation, and high sucrose content, are available for farmers to plant.
Magero also pointed out that while the Sugar Act 2001 mandates cane prices to be based on sucrose content, the lack of proper facilities has delayed implementation.
He revealed that two Sugar Testing Units (STUs) are currently piloting in Nzoia and Sony Sugar mills, with nine others operational in both government and private mills.
The rollout of the QBCPS is expected to begin six months after the regulations are gazetted.
Magero urged farmers to adopt better farming practices to ensure higher sucrose content in their crops.
He also warned millers that operating without STUs would result in penalties, including fines of up to KES5 million or imprisonment for up to a year.
Farmers have called for additional education on the new model to help them maximize the sucrose content in their sugarcane.
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