Sugarcane farmers in Nyanza want the government to convene a national conference for sugar sector stakeholders to discuss issues affecting the industry.
A former farmers' representative on Wednesday told Hivisasa.com that the problems affecting the sector ought to be addressed before the industry collapses.
Former Kenya National Farmers Union Muhoroni branch chairman Felix Minda said it was the responsibility of the government to protect farmers from market volatility.
Minda said the conference will allow farmers discuss issues affecting them as well as propose solutions to the problems affecting cane growers.
He faulted the government over its proposal to import sugar from Uganda saying the move would cripple the development of the industry in the country.
The former farmers' leader spoke as opposition and government leaders continue to criticise each other over the proposal to import sugar from Uganda as the Kenyan government exports milk to the landlocked nation.
He called on Kenyans to make it a priority to consume Kenyan products.