Nzoia Sugar Company in Bungoma county is set to start milling of cane next week after closing down for four months despite owing farmers Sh269 million.
The four months break started on July 24th 2023 following a directive by Agricultural Food Authority which ordered all millers in Western and Nyanza regions to cease milling to allow room for cane growth.
Addressing the press in his office, Nzoia sugar company board of directors Chairman Alfred Khang’ati said the miller will resume its operations on 4th December 2023 at a crushing capacity of 1,500 tons of cane after conducting some minor factory repairs.
“During the break, the company embarked to vigorous Nucleus Estate revamp operations supported by a collaboration between the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) and the National Youth Service (NYS),” he said.
Khang’ati also assured farmers that the government has made a commitment to clear those arrears and plans are underway to ensure that farmers receive all their arrears before the Christmas holidays commence.
He stated that the management is in negotiations with various banks to forge a deal that will see contracted sugar cane farmers get advance loans using their mature sugarcane crops collateral.
“We would like to urgent all our farmers to keep their sugarcane ready for harvesting and desist from selling it to unscrupulous dealers who will give them less value for their crop that they deserve,” said Khang’ati.
