Farmers in Narok county have protested against Transmara Sugar Factory's plan to stop the direct purchase and harvest of burnt cane from them.
Through Joshua Ngatuny, they said the new move caught them by surprise, adding that it would cause them huge losses.
He said on Sunday they want Agriculture CS Peter Munya to intervene and save them.
Pre-harvest burning of cane fields is a toxic practice, but it is widely used. It removes leaves and other organic material, making it easier to collect for processing.
The new policy was introduced last week. Factory officials said they would no longer deploy any machinery to harvest burnt cane for factory processing.
“Harvesting of any burnt cane will only be considered at the sole discretion of the management,” a notice signed by plant CEO Frederick North said.
He said it was the company's obligation to make new regulations from time to time to improve production.
Any farmer whose cane has been torched must harvest and carry the cane to the factory at his own cost under the new policy.
The same burnt cane will only be accepted if delivered within seven days of its torching.
The farmer would still have to face other penalties that come with the destroyed cane, the notice said.
"Any debt liability will still be pursued by the company should the farmer fail to deliver the cane in time," the CEO said.
The factory chief said that fires in cane farms had become rampant.
At least 431 cases have been reported to the factory by last week, he said.
North said burning cane reduces quality and sugar production.
The new policies were introduced after previous ones failed to deter further too much can torching.
The farmers said they are always not consulted whenever regulations are introduced.
"We just woke up to find new laws being circulated all over. I think it would be better if there are consultations," Ngatuny told journalists on Sunday in Kilgoris.
Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers treasurer Stephen Narupa joined the farmers in condemning the new regulations.
He said fire incidents are accidents and are unavoidable especially during the dry seasons.
(Edited by V. Graham)
