Sugarcane farmers in the country have a reason to smile after the interim Sugarcane Pricing Committee increased the minimum sugarcane price to Ksh5,300 from Ksh5,000.

The price change came after the Interim Sugarcane Pricing Committee appointed by the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe held its first meeting on February 7, 2025, to review the minimum sugarcane prices.

After its meeting, the interim committee agreed to increase the minimum sugarcane price to Ksh5,300, offering hope to sugarcane farmers.

The new prices will be effective from Monday, February 10, 2025, as announced by Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Rono.

"The committee approved an upward adjustment of the minimum sugar cane price from the current  Ksh5000 per tonne to ksh5,300 per tonne, effective February 10, 2025," the notice by PS Kiprono read in part.

The letter was addressed to the managing directors of various sugar companies and was copied to the CS Kagwe.

"You are hereby requested to adhere to the minimum cane price while making payments to the farmers on time," the letter continued.

The previous amount of Ksh5,000 was increased in August 2024 after farmers decried that the Ksh4,950 per tonne they were getting was low.

This increase comes at a time when the Kenya Kwanza Government is reviving the sugarcane sector.

In the revival plan, a section of sugarcane farmers in Mumias received bonuses after President Ruto launched the programme in Mumias.

Speaking during a past event, Ruto stated that the bonus was part of a government initiative to revitalise the sugar sector. This was the first time farmers are receiving the annual pay.

The bonuses were intended to help farmers, professionals who are crucial to Kenya's agricultural economy just like those in the tea and coffee sub-sectors.