The Economic Challenges Facing Small Scale Sugarcane Farmers in Malava Sub-County, Kakamega County, Kenya

This study examined the challenges and their effects on sugarcane farming in Malava sub-county, Kakamega County. The objectives were to: assess cane transportation problems establish related to marketing of farmers Sub-county. It was undertaken Sub-county, where is economic backbone region’s key cash crop owing favourable geographical conditions Western Kenya. Despite Sub-county’s vast experience farming, production has gone down. Furthermore, such a yet be done Malava. purposed find out reasons for inefficiency insufficiency sugar production. A descriptive research design used. Purposive systematic random sampling techniques used select from seven wards; Manda/Shivanga, Butali/Chegulo, Chemuche, East Kabras, West South Shirugu/Mugai factory stakeholders two factories; Butali Kabras Sub-county an estimated population 65,323 farmers. From this population, sample 384 used, based Mugenda Mugenda’s formula (2003): n=z2pq/d2, target which greater than 10,000. Primary data collected by use questionnaires, interview schedules, Focus Group Discussions, observation guides. Secondary through literature search online journals, theses publications topic. Analysis using statistics aided Statistical Package Social Sciences (SPSS). presentation tables graphs. pilot Lwandeti Chevaywa wards Lugari Subcounty conducted test validity reliability collection instruments, Cronbach’s alpha 0.8 good evidence reliability. Research findings showed that 70% (269) respondents accepted charges high compared other costs production, 60% (230) sampled said there ready market mature sugarcane, while 40% (154) responded negatively 100% indicated they never witnessed weighing cane. Finally, 79.95% (307) equipment operation mainly locally available ones instance, Jembes, Pangas, ox ploughs; 83% (319) failed uproot old due lack money hire tractors technology equipment. Small-scale sub-county have low productivity these factors. recommends millers cover costs, provide licenses schedule, introduce mobile weighbridges allow observe cane, government loans small-scale acquire village