Sugarcane farmers are set to receive faster payments for their produce after the government introduced a new rule requiring millers to pay growers within seven days of cane delivery or face penalties, including interest on delayed payments.

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The Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) said the measure will help end prolonged payment delays that have left farmers waiting for weeks or months after delivering their cane.

KSB Chief Executive Officer Jude Chesire on Thursday, August 27, noted that the regulator is also intensifying efforts to protect farmers from losses linked to weighing irregularities.

According to Chesire, some sugarcane farmers have been losing as much as three tonnes of cane per trailer through suspected weighbridge malpractices.

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To address the problem, Chesire said KSB is procuring mobile weighbridges that will allow independent verification of cane weights and strengthen monitoring across the sugar industry.

He further noted that the government is also investing in cane-testing units as Kenya moves towards a payment system that takes into account the quality and sugar content of cane rather than relying solely on weight.

“KSB is procuring mobile weighbridges to independently verify cane weights and strengthen enforcement. The Government has also invested in cane-testing units as the industry moves towards a payment system that considers quality and sugar content rather than relying solely on weight,” said Cheshire.

To further streamline the sugar production industry, the sugar millers have additionally been directed to establish clear cane-harvesting frameworks by September 10, 2026.

Chesire noted that the move is intended to improve harvesting, transportation and delivery while reducing delays that can leave mature cane deteriorating in farmers' fields.

The KSB CEO noted that the country spends about Ksh30 billion every year importing white refined sugar despite Kenya's ability to produce more sugar locally.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke