Sh100m Sugarcane Farming Fund set up in Kakamega

Denis Gitau | Jun 24, 2020

A Sh100 million revolving fund has been set up by the Kakamega county government to facilitate loan advancement to sugarcane farmers as part of the effort to revive the fallen Mumias Sugar Company.

According to Wycliffe Oparanya, Kakamega county governor, the funds are targeted to cane farmers in the millers' catchment area as the Mumias receiver-manager plans to start sugar milling in August.

However, the delayed procurement and shipping of rotors caused by Covid-19 restrictions have slowed the plan.

Ponangipalli Venkata Ramana Rao, the receiver manager, said that an evaluation of the mills by engineers had taken place ahead of maintenance.

The allocation was factored into the 2020/21 budget.

“The county has finalized setting up of the revolving fund.

We have followed all the required regulations in setting up the fund,” said the county chief.

Mr. Oparanya said that beneficiaries will be identified before the disbursement of funds.

The department is collecting farmers’ statistics and other details to facilitate the program’s implementation.

Sh15 million has been allocated to the purchase of a building formerly belonging to the collapsed Mumias Outgrowers Savings and Credit Cooperative Society.

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