The Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers has organised a consultative forum among sugarcane stakeholders in Chemelil this Friday.
The federation secretary general Ezra Okoth said the forum will give the stakeholders an opportunity to share challenges and opportunities in the sector.
Okoth said that Kisumu County governor Jack Ranguma will grace the occasion and called upon farmers to attend and deliberate even on other food crops for better food security in the region.
“This is the best opportunity for our farmers to converge and deliberate their issues with the county government of Kisumu and come up with workable solution to the problems bedevilling the sugarcane sector,” said Okoth.
Ranguma while on a tour of Muhoroni Constituency, confirmed that he will talk much about sugarcane growing this coming Friday to help sugarcane farmers get possible solutions to challenges they face as farmers.
The Governor said he will dedicate his time to be with the sugarcane farmers to talk about range of issues affecting the sector.
He said the talk will also touch on the looming sugar factories privatisation and the need to employ more workers in the factories.
Governor Ranguma said he will push for a better percentage to be offloaded to the farmers and workers in the sugar factories that are set for sale to strategic investors.
“You all know that I have been in the forefront to ensure the sale of the sugar factories is done by the county government since agriculture is fully devolved,” said Ranguma.
Within Nyando sugar belt there are three factories namely, Muhoroni, Chemelil and Miwani which will be put up for sale by the national government.