Shortage of sugar looms as drought hits cane production
A farmer clears her sugarcane farm that was razed by fire in Muhoroni in February 2012. Drought in sugarcane growing areas has adversely affected production. Photo/FILE
What you need to know:
Inadequate rainfall in sugarcane growing areas has resulted in low production exposing farmers to losses.
Shortage of cane may result in an unstable supply of sugar in the market.
The sugar industry has received yet another blow as persistent drought fuels cane shortage.
Inadequate rainfall in sugarcane growing areas has resulted in low production exposing farmers to losses.
“During drought, the harvest from 6,000 acres is equivalent to that of 4,000 acres when there is sufficient rainfall,” said Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers chairman Francis Wangara.
The union official asked the government to intervene by helping small-scale growers to embrace irrigation.
“The farms are at more risk of fire since most of the sugarcane is now dry. Any delayed harvesting can be disastrous in case of a fire outbreak” said Mr Wangara.
He said that millers had resorted to buying cane from farmers outside their contracted zones, adding that the growers should be given loans and extension services to expand the acreage under the crop.
Miwani Milling Zone chairman Samuel Anyango said that drought had adversely effected production of sugar.
“The drying cane is a result of uncontrolled purchase of cane outside designated milling zones by various companies,” he said.
Kenya Sugar Board chief executive Rosemary Mkok expressed fears that the shortage of cane may result in an unstable supply of sugar in the market.
“The drought may worsen the situation such that local millers cannot meet the quota allocated for local production leading to erratic supply,” said Ms Mkok.
Poor investment in the sugar sector has given headroom for imports amid claims of dumping by companies from neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania.
Kenya remains a net sugar importer and is struggling to boost output as its consumption continues to outpace production. Consumption of sugar stands at 800,000 tonnes per year against local production of 550,000 tonnes.
“KSB will work round the clock to ensure the drought does not open avenues for illegal sugar business in the country from foreign sources,” she added.
Ms Mkok said that the sugar board would spend Sh2.3 billion to boost local cane production.
Under normal circumstances one acre produces 30 tonnes of cane which at a price of Sh3,400 can earn Sh102,000.
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