COUNTY SETS ASIDE KSH 100 MILLION FOR CANE DEVELOPMENT

The County Government of Kakamega has set aside Ksh. 100 million for cane development in Mumias zone to ensure a steady supply of the cash crop to Mumias Sugar Company once it resumes operations.

Speaking in his office Monday, Governor Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya said the funds, already factored in the County’s financial year 2020/2021 budget, will be put in a revolving fund and given out as loans to cane farmers to boost production of the crop.

A majority of farmers have quit cane farming because of the financial challenges they faced following the collapse of the factory, a main source of income for them. The county in partnership with the factory has started reaching out to farmers to resume cane growing.

“The department of Agriculture will identify farmers who will benefit from this programme before disbursement of funds; we have followed all the required rules and regulations in setting up the fund,” Governor Oparanya said.

He called on farmers and leaders from the region to support the initiative to ensure that the factory gets enough raw materials to enable it run continuously once it starts sugar production.