Stop Sidelining Us, Farmers Association tells Kenya Sugar Board
The chairman took issue with the board for downplaying the federation and yet it was the heart of the farmers countrywide.
BY WAKHUNGU ANDANJE
Cane Farmers Association(CFA) has cautioned Kenya sugar board against sidelining their cane farmer’s federation.
The Butali sugarcane out growers association chairman William Kopi while issuing his proposals in a public participation on the sugar development fund held at Mukhonje friends’ church grounds in Butali Chegulo ward in Malava constituency warned the Kenya sugar board of sidelining the Kenya national federation of sugarcane farmers in its operations.
“The federation is the apex of cane farming representation and it has come to our attention that it is not featuring anywhere in this sugar development fund document being discussed in many parts of the country” Kopi said.
He said it will not be business unusual if the farmers are not well represented in the Kenya sugar board through their federation as it will mean the board is not for the cane farmers.
Kenya sugar board, he said should not take it as easy as it is as we have fought for the federation for many years and we have presented our membership and we hear there are other areas farmers organizations are recognized by the Kenya sugar board, but not here.
"Let them come clean and reveal which ones are these and how many members are registered with them" he said.
The chairman took issue with the board for downplaying the federation and yet it was the heart of the farmers countrywide.
He called upon the board through their representative David Ombalo from Ministry of Agriculture (MoALD) and Andrew Osodo (KSB) to capture their contributions and be amended into the final document.
“We as farmers we have presented our views on the proposals and we have rectified where necessary of which if followed, the board will be very beneficial to the farmers as we have fought to have cane farmers to be removed from AFA to Kenya sugar board that only deals with cane farmers as tea and coffee farmers are also advocating for their own independent organizations" he said.
The Kenya sugar board is mandated to regulate, develop and promote the sugar industry.
The public participation is aimed at collecting farmers views on how well the sugar development levy will work for the farmers through reviewing of the SDF policy, discuss ISO agreement and share feedback, that will shape the future of sugar production in the country.
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