Mumias Sugar Company has announced plans to restore its visibility to sugarcane farmers as part of the company’s recovery strategy.
The company chairman Dan Ameyo said that there has been a disconnect between them and the farmers who are the suppliers of the raw material.
Ameyo announced that the company has set up a committee to address agricultural concerns of the farmers. He said the company is out to connect with the farmers and all issues that have been raised by the farmers will be looked into.
“Farmers felt we are not ready for them but I want to assure them that we have put in place structures to iron out their grievances,” he said.
Speaking to the company shareholders in Kisumu, Ameyo said the disconnect has created a wedge between the two entities and the working relationship has not been that cordial. He said the company has in the past distanced itself from the farmers and now is ready to restore the relationship and bring them on board to be part of the recovery plan.
Ameyo further said that farmers have been frustrated by the company yet they are the backbone of the company.
He said issues farmers have been raising range from the company's inability to assist farmers develop their cane to demands for bribes for their cane to be harvested.