Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw, is calling on sugar technologists to use their expertise to help drive growth of the sugar cane industry.
Shaw said that research and the application of science and technology was critical to achieving increased production and productivity in the industry. He urged the technologists to use their expertise to identify the right formulations that will lead to the best yields and the varieties most suited for cultivation.
“We want our farmers to use the best technologies available and engage in proper agronomic practices that will result in increased yields per hectare. It is only then that our farmers will make the desired return on their investments,” Shaw emphasised.
He was speaking at the 84th Annual Conference of Sugar Technologists, held at the Sugar Industry Authority Research Division in Mandeville on November 25, 2021.
Increased production, Shaw said, would provide an opportunity to serve the local market as well as the CARICOM market, which is underserved by regional countries.
Over the past three years, canes ground has been on the decline with some 499,043 tonnes in the 2021 sugar cane season compared to 736,515 tonnes in 2019. Sugar sales have also decreased with some 31,053 tonnes sold in 2021 as against 42,612 tonnes in 2020.
Reiterating that Government has not abandoned the sugar industry, the Agriculture and Fisheries Minister said Government continues to provide technical support to the industry to boost production.
He urged the technologists to accept a shared vision for the industry and to continue to strengthen the partnerships and strategic alliances that will benefit the industry.
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