NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 27 – As the revival of the sugarcane industry gathers momentum, women in Awendo, Migori County are actively taking charge, proving that –indeed– they are the backbone of agriculture and rural household economies.
During a field visit last week, several women enthusiastically showcased their sugarcane farms, describing the move to lease out South Nyanza Sugar Company (Sony Sugar) to a private investor as a game changer.
Noting that sugarcane farming is the mainstay of many families in the area, Rodah Odera, Kerina Owino, Norah Atieno among others said sugarcane farming has the potential to transform the economy right from the village level.
For instance, Norah passionately traced her 20-year long journey in sugarcane growing, attributing everything she has to the proceeds she gets from her four hectare farm in Kokuro location, Awendo Sub County.
Citing 2017-2019 as the most difficult period for farmers because Sony Sugar was on the verge of collapse, Norah said milling ground to a halt and the company failed to pay farmers for their deliveries.
However, she said that things are now looking up following the far-reaching reforms that President William Ruto initiated last year. Consequently, the company which has since been rebranded to Sony Sugar Company 2025 Limited is now paying farmers on a weekly basis for the first time ever.
“Things were tough those years because we couldn’t even track what we were supposed to get but things are now good,” Norah said, adding: “The company has really helped us. Here, many of us are not employed but we are living better than those with salaries.”
“If you see my home you would think I have a very big job but everything I have is because of sugarcane. I am now rich because of the new management at Sony. They should continue like that,” she said, citing the weekly payments as the most transformatory.
She emphasized that their lives are now more streamlined because of the weekly payments by the company. Sony Sugar is now being run by Busia Sugar Industry Limited.
“We get our money just after one week and for me I am able to hire somebody to tend the farm for me because I am able to pay them that is why my farm is neat as you can see,” she stated.
“You can easily become a millionaire now with sugarcane farming. I can easily get Sh300,000 from my two-hectare farm,” she said.
Rodah said that she has been growing sugarcane for 17 years now, adding that the crop has been the only source of livelihood for her family. “Sugarcane is everyThis is my cash crop which has been helping me doing my work, paying school fees, buying food and other things.
Although the sugarcane industry has faced many challenges in the past, she exuded confidence that the tumultuous period is now behind them. “The first challenge we had was late harvesting. Our sugarcane would go for even three years without being harvested,” she said.
“Another challenge that we had, late payment because farmers were being paid sometimes after one year,” she said, noting that late payment demoralized many farmers. In April, Kenya Sugar Board announced the new minimum price of Sh5,500 per tonne.
She also called upon the company to speed up payment of the 2025 arrears. “Life was hard because we are not getting the income but at least there is an improvement from the company since May 2025 when the new investor came,” she pointed out.
“The cane is being harvested at the right time and then we are being paid within seven or ten days,” she emphasized.
“We have seen great improvements. Payments are now clear and predictable and we have money in our pockets,” Kerina Anyango said, adding: “Sugarcane is going to change this area, we are going to be millionaires soon.”
