Towards a Better Production of Sugar Cane by Outgrower Farmers' of Webuye Division, Bungoma District
Abstract
Agriculture is the mainstay of Kenya's economy.
The general agricultural policy has been guided by an
overall strategy of meeting the objective of trying to
maintain a position of broad self-sufficiency in
foodstuffs and provision of raw materials for the
agro-based industries. It is on this basis that this
study was undertaken to try and find out how efficient
provision of raw materials for the Nzoia Sugar factory
by the small-holders is.
The study deals with the role that out growers
play in the provision of sugarcane to the Nzoia Sugar
Company and the constraints that hinder better of
sugarcane in Webuye Division, Bungoma District.
Recommendations that would try to solve the identified
constraints to sugarcane product ion are given r n
Chapter Five of the study.
The study found out that the government policy
has favoured the development of small-scale agriculture because of the role it plays when well
developed. This was revealed from the field findings
whereby the production of sugarcane process was found
to be labour intensive and therefore offers more
employment per unit 0f hectarage grown. This meant
increasing incomes to majority of the small-holders who
would in turn
use their earnings for improving their
standards of living. But the stated policies are
however not reflected in the governments action in
certain areas which would support small-holder
agricultural. This included the provision of credit
facilities, extension services, and research. Further
constraints were identified as low incomes of the
farmers, poor transportation facilities, delays in
harvesting and payments, poor management at the
factory level, and poor distribution of inputs.
The study recommended that if better production
of sugarcane was to be attained so as to improve the
sugar yields, the above constraints have to be solved.
There is need for a concerted effort by extension
officers, credit agencies and the research
institutions to come in and help the small-holders to
improve their production levels. Practical policy need
to be reoriented to favour small-holders in credit
provision, access to extension services and research.
This therefore calls for the intensification of public
participation in planning. To improve incomes, there
is need for the diversification of crops and adoption
of off-farm activities by the farmers. These
recommendations if adopted will hopefully go a long
way in leading to a better production of sugarcane in
Webuye Division.
Citation
Degree Of Master Of Arts In PlanningPublisher
University Of Nairobi