Kenyan sugarcane farmers get relief as government raises minimum price to US$40.97
KENYA – Sugarcane farmers in Kenya have received a boost after the Interim Sugarcane Pricing Committee increased the minimum price per tonne from Kes 5,000 (US$38.65) to Kes 5,300 (US$40.97).
The decision was reached during the committee’s first meeting on February 7, 2025, which was convened following its appointment by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.
The new pricing will take effect from February 10, 2025, as confirmed by Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Rono.
“The committee approved an upward adjustment of the minimum sugarcane price from the current Ksh5,000 per tonne to Ksh5,300 per tonne, effective February 10, 2025,” stated PS Kiprono in an official notice.
He further directed millers to adhere to the new pricing and ensure timely payments to farmers.
This increase follows a similar adjustment in August 2024, when the price was raised from Kes 4,950 (US$38.27) to Kes 5,000 per tonne after farmers protested over low earnings.
The latest increment is part of the government’s broader efforts to revive the struggling sugar sector.
As part of these efforts, sugarcane farmers in Mumias recently received bonuses, marking the first-ever annual payout under a new government initiative.
The programme, launched by President William Ruto, aims to boost farmers’ earnings and place them on equal footing with counterparts in the tea and coffee sub-sectors.
Additionally, the government is expanding sugarcane farming beyond Western Kenya and establishing a centralized database for farmers.
The database, supported by Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, will ensure efficient smart contracting, assigning sugarcane fields to specific mills to streamline production.
To further improve productivity, the National Treasury has allocated Kes 600 million to the Kenya Sugar Research and Training Institute (KESRETI) for the development of high-quality sugarcane varieties.
Moreover, the government has committed to revitalizing five state-owned sugar companies, writing off Kes 67 billion (US$518.4 million) in debts and clearing outstanding farmer payments.
These measures aim to restore confidence in the sugar industry, boost production, and improve farmers’ livelihoods, reinforcing the government’s commitment to transforming Kenya’s sugar sector.
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