Updated Tue, June 7th 2016 at 13:02 GMT +3MUMIAS, KENYA: Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (Kesref) has been called upon to scale up multiplication of new high-yield cane varieties to guarantee farmers improved yields. "The foundation can enter an agreement with some farmers just the way Kenya seed does by contracting maize farmers to multiply seeds," he explained. He maintained that leaving the onerous responsibility of releasing seed cane to farmers by factories could be a costly venture to both players. According to him, Kesref must involve farmers directly in seed cane bulking process by contracting some of them to undertake the activity on the farms. The Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers Deputy Secretary General Simon Wesechere challenged Kesref to roll out a mega seed cane multiplication venture with focus on recommended varieties in all sugarcane growing areas to ensure farmers have enough supply.

Source: Standard Digital June 07, 2016 10:07 UTC