A section of sugarcane farmers in Busia County are staring at huge losses following Kenya Sugar Board's (KSB) directive to suspend milling for the next three months.

KSB said the temporary closure of sugar factories in Western Kenya starting July 14 was due to a severe shortage of mature sugarcane. The directive affects seven factories in Western region.

Yesterday, farmers with mature cane lamented that the decision was ill-advised, adding that the closure could be another scheme by the millers to lay off employees.

Mr Stephen Ekirapa, a sugarcane farmer in Busia, said all sugarcane on farms across the country was not the same age to give a three-month period.

"I have 3 different 20-acre cane plantation farms across Busia. In total 60 acres of cane are due for harvest. I wonder how KSB arbitrarily arrived at a three-month suspension," said Ekirapa.

He added, "No research has been done, and farmers were not consulted to establish if we have cane or not. We need money to develop our farms and take our children to school, and that’s why we are telling the sugar board and the government that we must be involved before they arrive at these decisions."

Another farmer, Vitalis Ekesa Olunga, said that the move was insensitive to those who depend on the sugar factories for their livelihoods, including farmers, cane cutters, and other staff.

According to Olunga, he has two and a half acres of mature cane, projecting a loss of over Sh150,000 if factories close.

“I am just a hustler who ploughs the farm on my own, and I depend on cane farming to pay school fees for my children, livelihood, and medication. The notice of the 14th is so soon. They can give millers one more month so that farmers with mature cane can harvest it, and if left on the farm, it might lead to an increase in crime, burglary, and others,” he noted.

Another farmer, Celestine Makoha, pleaded with the sugar board to ensure their mature cane is harvested and their dues paid before factories are closed.

According to Chris Okello, most farmers have mature cane, but due to the terrain of the area, it's difficult to transport cane during the heavy rain season.

"Our farms are located in a swampy area, and the road is not good. The affected farmers were waiting for rain to subside before they could harvest and ferry their cane," Okello noted.

According to Francisca Atyang from Segero, his cane is 18 months old, and he is yet to be given a permit.

"Closing the factories means I am at a loss, yet I didn't plant maize and focused on cane farming to pay fees for my children and feed my family. Farmers need to be consulted before such a decision is reached," Atyang noted.

Nambale MP Geoffrey Mulanya said farmers and leaders ought to be consulted before the closure of the factories.

"The KSB should have consulted farmers and leaders. It should closed factories that do not have mature cane. We have so many farmers who have mature cane, and they will be affected.

"Factories need to have a cane management program to ensure they have enough cane to avoid issues of cane shortage," Mulanya noted.