John Shilitsa
20 August 2009
Nairobi — Sugarcane farmers have a reason to smile after the Kenya Sugar Board increased funds meant to be lent to them through Agricultural Financial Co-operation, to Sh1 billion.
The sugar development fund chairman at sugar board, Mr Billy Wanjala, disclosed that the sugar regulatory agency had approved Sh500 million to add onto a similar amount that had earlier been released.
"Our gesture is meant to encourage farmers to become self-reliant in sugarcane production because they can access loans from the institution without being subjected to difficult borrowing conditions," said Mr Wanjala.
However, he added that most farmers are reluctant to borrow loans, despite KSB efforts to ensure many growers profit from the programme. "We are surprised that most farmers are not going for the funds that would enable them acquire farming machines and make sugarcane farming cost effective," he said.
Earlier, some farmers who spoke to the Nation in Mumias, complained that the Agricultural Financial Co-operation Kakamega branch had denied them the funds claiming "we had not met the requirements."
But Mr Wanjala said the terms of borrowing and repayment of the loans had been simplified for the growers "because we are simply ploughing back what we get from them."
Meanwhile, sugar board has starated sensitising and educating farmers in all sugarcane growing areas on ways of cutting down on the rising farming expenses.