For Tom Lukuru Ojwang, sugarcane farming is more than a source of income it is a family legacy spanning generations. After years of losses, delayed payments and challenges in the sugar industry, Tom and his son James say the revival of sugar factories is giving farmers renewed confidence and a reason to keep investing in the land.
Highlights
- Tom Lukuru Ojwang has farmed sugarcane since 1984.
- His family’s sugarcane journey began with his father in 1971.
- Farmers previously faced delayed payments and losses after cane was harvested.
- Revived sugar factories are improving cane collection and payment processes.
- Tom hopes his sons will take the family farming legacy further.
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A Family Farming Legacy
Tom Lukuru Ojwang, a sugarcane farmer from Kholera Location in Matungu Sub-County, has spent decades working the land.
His connection to sugarcane farming began through his father, who started growing the crop in 1971. Tom took over the family tradition in 1984 and has since continued building on what the previous generation started.
Today, he is passing that experience on to his sons, hoping they will achieve even more than he did.
For Tom, farming is not simply about maintaining what his father left behind. It is about creating a stronger foundation for the next generation.
Years of Difficulties for Farmers
Tom’s son, James Lukuru, says sugarcane farming played an important role in shaping his own life, including helping him pursue his education.
However, the journey has not always been easy.
Farmers experienced difficult periods when sugar companies shut down or struggled to operate. At times, harvested cane remained on farms for extended periods, exposing farmers to losses as the crop deteriorated.
Payment delays also placed pressure on farming families, with some farmers having to wait for months before receiving money for cane they had already supplied.
These challenges made it difficult for farmers to plan, reinvest and sustain their operations.
Sugar Sector Revival Brings Relief
James says the situation has improved as sugar factories have resumed operations and the sector has received renewed attention.
He says farmers can now expect their harvested cane to be collected on the same day, reducing the risk of losses associated with leaving it in the field.
The weighing process has also become more transparent. Farmers receive information showing the tonnage delivered, giving them a clearer picture of what has been supplied before payment is processed.
According to James, payments are now reaching farmers within roughly a week, a major improvement compared with the prolonged waiting periods experienced in the past.
A Changing Agricultural Economy
The developments come as agriculture in Western Kenya continues to move beyond basic household food production towards more commercial farming.
Sugarcane remains an important economic activity in counties including Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia and parts of Trans Nzoia, supporting households and businesses connected to the wider agricultural value chain.
For farmers, better factory operations, improved returns and reliable markets can make the difference between farming purely for survival and treating agriculture as a viable business.
Passing the Baton to the Next Generation
Tom is determined that the family’s farming journey should not end with him.
He wants his sons to surpass his achievements in the same way he believes he built on the work started by his father.
His message is rooted in generational progress: every farmer should strive to leave the next generation with something stronger than what they inherited.
As sugarcane farming regains momentum in Western Kenya, families like the Lukurus are looking beyond past challenges and towards a future where agriculture can once again provide education, income and opportunity.
A family legacy becomes truly powerful when the next generation does not simply inherit the work they find a way to take it further.
