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：现有诸多研究均围绕非洲各区域贸易集团，对非洲内部贸易议题展开探讨。贸易对于多数发达国家的众多产业而言，是其发展的关键支撑。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两国经济收益提升的积极因素。目前，肯尼亚与乌干达两国间蔗糖协定的签署，旨在强化两国在东非共同体内的区域协作，但该协定对肯尼亚西部产区的制糖厂商而言，利弊并存。尽管各类非洲内部贸易的不同商品均存在诸多共性问题，但本研究聚焦于肯乌蔗糖协定及其对肯尼亚西部产区制糖厂商的影响展开探讨。这也引发了关于该蔗糖协定将对肯尼亚地区蔗农产生正向还是负向影响的讨论。

研究目标：本研究的目标如下：其一，评估肯乌蔗糖协定对甘蔗种植小农户的影响；其二，明确该协定对社会经济发展的影响；其三，探析该协定对制糖企业的影响；其四，确定针对肯尼亚西部产区因肯乌蔗糖协定引发的各类挑战的干预措施与替代方案。

研究设计：案例研究法。

研究区域：肯尼亚西部产区的恩佐亚制糖公司（Nzoia Sugar Company）。

数据采集工具与流程：本研究采用访谈提纲与调查问卷开展数据收集工作。

数据分析：本研究采用描述性统计（含百分比表格）对定性与定量数据进行分析，并对研究结果进行解读，以呈现受访者针对问卷中提出的相关问题的看法，从而回应研究问题。

研究结果：41%的受访者表示，甘蔗种植小农户将无法获得应有保障，难以通过其农产品实现粮食安全与体面收入；53%的受访者认为，由于甘蔗供应商的款项支付迟缓且未能按时结算，将导致行业发展放缓；另有41%的受访者认为，制糖企业将面临回款困境，尤其是在所产蔗糖未能实现足量销售的情况下，甚至可能导致企业倒闭；最后，51%的受访者认为，肯尼亚政府需对肯乌蔗糖协定中进口至肯尼亚的蔗糖总量进行监管。