Evaluation of Policy-Related Challenges Limiting Compliance of Sugar Agencies in the Western Kenya Sugar Zone with COMESA Standards for Revival of Sugarcane Farming

Abstract

This study investigated policy-related challenges limiting sugar agencies in particular sugar mills, Sugar Research Institute, and Sugar directorate in the Western Kenya Sugar Belt from compliance with the Common Market for Eastern and South Africa (COMESA) Standards for revival of sugar cane farming in Kenya. The study was based on cross-sectional survey design and purposive sampling technique which enabled the engagement of senior officials of the sugar mills, senior researchers, and regulators from respective agencies as Key Informants.   Key informant guides were used to collect data which was then analyzed descriptively using measures of central tendency and inferentially using t-test. The study established that at a 95% confidence level, there were policy-related challenges that were limiting the compliance of sugar agencies with the COMESA Standards for revival of sugarcane farming in Kenya. For sugar millers the key challenges ranged from the issue of logistics of strategic planning, the issue of sharing income from co-production and cogeneration practices, and then the aspect of conflicts over the issue of the proposed privatization of public mills. For the Sugar Research Institute, the challenges range from financial limitations, limited autonomy, and poor linkage with farmers, lack of policy for seed bulking and supply, limited human capital up to the challenge of logistics of strategic planning.  For the Sugar directorate they ranged from weak strategy for policy implementation, the issue of logistics of strategic planning, and then the challenge of gaps in policy framework. in conclusion the study established that compliance of sugar agencies in the Western Kenya Sugar Belt with the COMESA Standards for revival of sugarcane farming was being limited by policy-related challenges and recommended for due policy review.