Intra-African Trade: assessing the Kenya and Uganda sugar pact and its impact on Western Region Sugar Millers in Kenya

Introduction: Intra-African Trade has been covered in various studies focusing on all African trade blocks. Trade is critical to the success of many sectors of most developed countries. Intra-African Trade in the EAC has been deemed as a positive contributing factor towards enhancing economic benefits between Uganda and Kenya. Currently the settlement of the sugar pact between Kenya and Uganda aims at improving the regionalism of the two countries in East Africa (EAC) but still there are several disadvantages as there are advantages to the western region millers in Kenya. Though there are several issues that arise in different products within any Intra-African trades to explain the same in relation to the Kenya-Uganda Sugar Pact and its impact on Western Region Sugar Millers in Kenya. This brings up the discussion on whether the sugar pact will positively or negatively affects sugarcane farmers in Kenyan region.Objectives: The objectives of the study were to first assess the impact of the Kenya-Uganda Sugar Pact on small holder sugarcane farmers. To secondly identify the impact of the Kenya-Uganda Sugar Pact on socio-economic development. Thirdly to examine the impact of the Kenya-Uganda Sugar Pact on sugar companies. Fourthly to determine interventions and alternatives to address challenges brought about by the Kenya-Uganda Sugar pact in Western Region in Kenya.Study Design: A case study research design.Study Area: Nzoia Sugar Company in Western Region in Kenya.Data Collection Tools and Procedures: Interview guides and questionnaire were used to collect data.Data Analysis: Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics included percentage tables. The study findings were interpreted to show the perception of the respondent on issues raised in the questionnaires to answer the research questions.Results: 41 percent of respondents stated smallholder farmers will lack protection to ensure food security and decent earnings from their produce. 53 percent gave the opinion that it will lead to slow growth due to slow rate of pay on time done by sugar cane suppliers. Another 41 percent agreed that the companies will suffer from recovery especially if sugar produced is not excessively sold and thus leading to companies shutting down. Finally, 51 percent were of the opinion that the government needs to regulate the amount of sugar imported to Kenya in the sugar pact between Kenya and Uganda.引言：非洲内部贸易已在诸多聚焦全非洲贸易集团的研究中得到探讨。贸易对于多数发达国家诸多产业的蓬勃发展至关重要。东非共同体（East African Community, EAC）框架下的非洲内部贸易被视为推动乌干达与肯尼亚间经济收益提升的积极因素。目前，肯尼亚与乌干达达成的糖类贸易协定旨在深化两国在东非共同体框架内的区域经贸合作，但该协定对肯尼亚西部制糖厂而言，既存在利好，也伴随诸多弊端。尽管各类非洲内部贸易中均存在诸多涉及不同产品的议题，但本研究将围绕肯尼亚-乌干达糖类贸易协定展开探讨，分析其对肯尼亚西部制糖厂的影响。这也引发了相关讨论：该糖类贸易协定究竟会对肯尼亚地区的甘蔗种植户产生正向还是负向影响。 研究目标：本研究的研究目标如下：其一，评估肯尼亚-乌干达糖类贸易协定对小型甘蔗种植户的影响；其二，探析该糖类贸易协定对社会经济发展的影响；其三，考察该糖类贸易协定对制糖企业的影响；其四，明确针对肯尼亚西部地区因该糖类贸易协定引发的各类挑战的干预措施与替代方案。 研究设计：采用案例研究法。 研究区域：肯尼亚西部的恩佐亚制糖公司（Nzoia Sugar Company）。 数据收集工具与流程：采用访谈提纲与调查问卷开展数据采集工作。 数据分析：运用描述性统计方法（含百分比表格）对定性与定量数据进行分析；结合研究问题，对调研结果进行解读，以呈现受访者对问卷中所提议题的认知与看法。 研究结果：41%的受访者表示，小型甘蔗种植户将无法获得足够保障，难以保障粮食安全并从其种植的农产品中获得合理收益；53%的受访者认为，由于甘蔗供应商无法按时获得货款，该协定将导致行业增速放缓；另有41%的受访者认为，制糖企业将面临营收复苏困境，若生产的糖类产品无法实现足额销售，甚至可能导致企业倒闭；最后，51%的受访者认为，肯尼亚政府需对肯尼亚-乌干达糖类贸易协定项下进口至肯尼亚的糖类数量进行监管。