FALLING sugar production in recent years has become worrisome and

the problems affecting the sugar industry were aggravated by the drastic cuts in sugar prices by the EU. Was it not for the latter, perhaps, many of the inefficiencies within the industry would not have shown up because during the period of preferential sugar prices they were probably glossed over by profits and therefore went unnoticed.
With the demise of preferential prices the weaknesses and inefficiencies are showing up and they have to be addressed with expediency because the sugar industry cannot be allowed to collapse as the consequences would be horrific. So keeping the industry alive is an imperative and not an option. Therefore, everything possible has to be done to return the industry to viability and profitability.
The last crop saw the target falling short by some 18,000 tonnes after an encouraging start which raised hopes that the target would have been met, and Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy indicated that the inclement weather was the major cause for the shortfall in production. The industry recorded its lowest output since 1991 and continues to under produce for seven consecutive years.
However, the major union in the sugar belt, GAWU, disagrees with the minister’s assertion.
According to its General Secretary Narine bad weather cannot be blamed. He agreed there was a bit of it coming down to the end of the last crop but emphasised that was not throughout the year, so as to hinder producing in a major way.
Asked about labour concerns, he said the corporation cannot complain about that since it is the same as it has been before and, in fact, was even better during some weeks.
Narine said, instead, the downward trend in production is as a result of the industry not having sufficient sugar canes. He claimed that some estates started reaping from the next crop in an attempt to meet the target.
He pointed out that the corporation was unable to meet its annual target even though it was revised three times, beginning at 265,000 tonnes, it was first reduced in August to 236,310 then, in September, increased to 241,000 and, more recently, in November, lowered, again, to 231,072.
An important factor in the equation is the Skeldon Sugar Factory which has not been producing at an optimal level due to several technical problems which are being fixed and hopefully the factory would be producing at optimal level for the next crop.
What is abundantly clear is falling production is a result of a combination of factors and causes, and therefore the call for a probe into the operations of the industry is indeed a timely one. Such a probe, however, should be done by independent investigators so that it would be very objective.
The probe should address the issue of whether the recommendations of an inquiry done a few years ago have been partially, fully implemented or not implemented at all and if not why not.
There is also need for greater collaboration between the union and the management in addressing the problems and challenges facing the industry and in doing so each side needs to be honest, frank and objective.