Nairobi Star (Nairobi)
Angwenyi Gichana
20 June 2011
Cane farming has been introduced in Kisumu West, Kisumu North and Gem districts. In Kisumu West and North, the introduction of cane is expected to improve the livelihoods of locals. Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries, a private cane miller, introduced cane growing after research confirmed that the areas soils are fit.
Kisumu Rural MP Anyang’ Nyong’o who launched the exercise at Otenge area asked locals to plant cane in large numbers. “I want you to start growing cane in large numbers. You should also integrate with other crops like maize for food security,” said the minister. Nyong’o said a cane factory should be established in the area and warned Kibos not to be like other millers which take years to harvest cane and pay farmers.
Nyong’o said the Lake Basin Development Authority will also carry out research on how to develop the area. “Kenya Sugar Research Foundation will give you cane suitable for growing here because there is a lot of potential,” said Ambrose Abong’o, a cane development manager at Kibos.
Kibos’s Agricultural manager Vitalis Ogolla said, “After a technical assessment and survey on the suitability of cane here, we got a positive response and this area has a huge potential to even supply cane to another factory.” Ogolla said they have an elaborate plan to recruit farmers and sign contracts with them. “We pay farmers per week and we promise to continue doing it,” he said, adding that a weighbridge and cane collection centre will be established at Kombewa area.
Area crops officer Eric Mosoti said, “The introduction of cane growing is welcome since the area does not have a cash crop. We are trying to revive cotton and the two will transform the lives of villagers here.” Kisumu West DC Gilbert Kitio appealed to locals to embrace cane growing and commercial agriculture as a way of escaping from poverty.
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