Kenya’s Sugar Cane Farmers To Receive Historic Bonuses From January – Ruto
President William Ruto has declared that for the first time, all cane farmers in the country will get incentives.
Ruto said that the government will pay the incentives in accordance with his campaign commitments.
On Wednesday, January 1, the Head of State spoke at the Governor’s Cup 2024, which was organised by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa at the Mumias Sports Complex in Kakamega County.
According to Ruto, it was unfair that other farmers cultivating other vital and strategic crops, such as tea and coffee, received bonuses but cane farmers were excluded.
The Head of State also stated that the first batch of payments will be made following the conclusion of his trip to the region, which will take place at the end of the month.
“The way we pay tea bonuses is the same way we must pay cane farmers from this region,” Ruto stated.
Good news for sugar farmers: You will receive bonuses. pic.twitter.com/nEEBiD1cbu
— United Democratic Alliance, UDA. (@UDAKenya) January 1, 2025
Ruto further stated that all farmers who have registered with the government will receive the payment.
“I will be back here at the end of the month to pay the first bonus ever for cane farmers in Kenya since independence,” he added.
The President also revealed that the administration has taken the necessary steps to allow the payouts to hundreds of farmers.
“We have made the necessary arrangements for the leasing programme and the payment of all our farmers. I want to thank all the farmers because they have greatly helped us this year and as a result, Kenya will not be importing sugar this year,” he added.
As of 2019, the country had roughly 250,000 small-scale sugarcane producers who provided the majority of the cane processed in the country.
Around six million Kenyans rely on the sugar sector for a living, either directly or indirectly.
This year will be historic for Kenya, since the Cabinet adopted a move to restrict sugar imports for this year during a meeting on November 14, last year.
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“On sugar, the meeting noted that Kenya has, for the first time, produced enough to meet local demand,” noted the Cabinet dispatch.
“As a result, no sugar will be imported this year. This achievement is due to subsidised fertiliser provided to farmers and improved management of the sector,” part of the statement read.
Kenya is expecting to generate more than 800,000 metric tonnes in the just-ended year.
During the previous harvest, sugar production varied from 700,000 metric tons per year from 16 facilities.
Kenya’s Sugar Cane Farmers To Receive Historic Bonuses From January – Ruto
