Kenya: Nyando farmers oppose the re-opening of closed sugarcane weighbridges

Published 2024년 7월 18일

Tridge summary

Cane farmers in Kenya's Nyando sugar belt are opposing the reopening of sugarcane weighbridges that were closed by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA). They are pushing for the weighbridges to be operated only within the jurisdictions of the sugar mills, as part of an agreement for regional zoning. The farmers fear that if millers are allowed to operate the weighbridges anywhere, they will run out of raw materials. Cane transporters also express concern that they will lose business if other millers are allowed to operate weighbridges within their area. AFA Director, Samuel Ong'ow, explains that the decision to close the weighbridges was made after consultation with stakeholders and aims to bring order to the industry.

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Original content

Nairobi — Cane farmers in the Nyando sugar belt have opposed the push to have sugarcane weighbridges, which had been closed by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), reopened. A section of farmers have called on AFA to allow the weighbridges to operate. However, farmers within the belt noted that there was a clear agreement on setting up of weighbridges in the sugar sector, which was to be done in every region where sugar factories are based, commonly known as regional zoning. Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers Muhoroni branch Secretary Killion Osur says the weighbridges that were closed must remain shut until the millers set up the same within their jurisdictions. "Let millers open weighbridges within their jurisdictions, and not to open them everywhere," he said. Osur says the sugar task force report was very clear on regional zoning and divided the country into five regions and that millers must just operate within their regions as also guided by AFA. "If the ...

Source: All Africa