A review of the state of sugar cane crisis in Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya sugar cane farming was once vibrant and source 15% of the agricultural GDP. However, Kenya’s sugar industry is under a state of sugar cane crisis as reflected in limited availability of sugar cane for milling and continuous decline in sugar cane farming. Pursuant to this, this paper sought to review the state of sugar cane crisis as perceived by a range of scholars between 1981 and 2022.The review established that the sugar cane crisis is caused by a range of factors. As a consequence, Kenya’s sugar industry is increasingly getting skewed towards importation as Kenya remains an attractive destination for imported sugar and a lucrative playfield for sugar cartels. Local millers are operating far below established milling capacity as sugar cane farmers, millers and government experience income challenges. Sugar cane crisis has led to income crisis among local producers and a big negative impact on national economy. There is rationale and opportunity for revival of sugar cane farming in Kenya as reflected in profitability of sugar cane production, agro ecological potential and public goodwill. The paper recommends adoption of Kombo2022 Model to enable revival of sugar cane farming in Kenya.