Awendo Farmer Who's Cultivated Sugarcane Since 1977 Shares Highs and Lows of Venture
A long-time sugarcane farmer in Kenya reflects on the industry's volatility since 1977, highlighting the impact of recent government reforms. While new leasing programs and payment systems have improved stability, concerns remain regarding the loss of annual bonuses.
Why it matters
The story illustrates the real-world impact of agricultural policy shifts on smallholder farmers in developing economies.
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Kerina Anyango Owino has spent nearly half a century coaxing sugarcane from the fertile soils of Kukoro village in Awendo sub-county, building a livelihood that has weathered industry collapses, broken promises and years of financial uncertainty.
Kerina Anyango, a cane farmer for many years, is happy with the sugar reforms and how she can make an income from her farming. Source: UGC Her story stretches back to 1977, when she first ventured into sugarcane cultivation and watched the local sugar industry cycle through its golden eras and its most brutal lows.
Kerina identifies 2018 as the darkest chapter she can recall. Financial mismanagement and crumbling factory infrastructure left farmers across the region without income and without hope.
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