The government is set to to distribute new early maturing sugarcane varieties, which in turn will significantly reduce the harvest time to approximately nine-14 months.
According to Agriculture PS Paul Rono, the initiative aims to help the framers adapt to the changing climate conditions and enhance their yields.
The PS said the Kenya Agriculture Livestock Research Organisation has developed 27 innovative new seed varieties.
He said these seeds can mature within nine–14 months a considerable improvements from the previous 18-24 months that farmers had to wait for their crop to mature.
Rono said the Agriculture and Food Authority will oversee the distribution of the fast maturing cane seedlings and provide subsidised fertilisers to support the farmers.
"This initiative is part of the national government's broader efforts to support and revive the sugar industry."
Speaking during a stakeholders visit to inspect the status of the Muhoroni and Chemelil sugar factories, the PS said the Agriculture and Food Authority will distribute the fast-maturing cane seedlings and provide subsidised fertilisers to farmers.
He emphasised the new seed varieties, which will soon be distributed to farmers, not only mature quickly but also have a high sucrose content, thereby increasing income.
"I want to urge farmers within the Nyanza sugar belt to embrace these agricultural innovations and start planting the recommended cane varieties to boost productivity," the PS said.
He made the remarks at a time the government is intensifying its efforts to rejuvenate the sugar sector.
Rono said the government plans to lease four state-owned sugar factories to private investors to enhance profitability and restore the sector to its former lost glory.
In the past four months, he said the government has focused more on this sector by paying Sh1.7 billion to settle farmers’ arrears.
"In the last two weeks, we have paid two months’ salaries for workers at Nzoia Sugar Company and set aside three months’ salaries for employees at Sony, Muhoroni and Chemelil sugar companies,” the PS added.
The meeting was also attended by AFA director general Bruno Linyiru and a member of the parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, MP Jared Okello.
