7 CONDITIONS FAVOURING SUGARCANE FARMING IN KENYA
Sugarcane is a coarse perennial grass belonging to the Saccharum family. It was introduced in Kenya in 1902 by an Australian farmer whereby commercial growing began in Miwani, Kibos, and Ramisi. Main Growing Areas Nyanza: Muhoroni, Miwani, Chemilil and Awendo. Coastal: Ramisi. Western: Mumias, Nzoia, Kabras, Nambele Conditions Favouring Sugarcane growing (requirements) Physical High temperatures(21◦c-27◦C) High and well-distributed rainfall (1200-1500 mm annually). Dry and sunny weather during harvesting to increase sugar accumulation in the cane. Fertile and well-drained soils. Undulating land for machinery to be used and for easier transportation of cane to factories. Altitude between sea level and 1600 m. Human Requirements Abundant labour for planting, weeding, cutting, and loading onto trucks. Good transport infrastructure for sugarcane to reach the factory within a week after harvesting. Location of processing factories within the growing areas for quick processing of sug...