Tension in sugar belt as TICFA stands its ground

THE Trinidad Islandwide Canefarmers Association (TICFA) yesterday refuted reports that it had abandoned this year’s sugar crop and the crop was now in jeopardy because of its alleged action.

TICFA public relations officer Lallan Rajaram told Newsday that last year Virgo Consultants Ltd Managing Director Wayne Inniss met separately with TICFA, the Canefarmers Association of Trinidad (CFAT) and the Cane Producers of Trinidad (CPAT) regarding the harvesting of cane in the 2004 crop. Virgo was hired by the Sugar Manufacturing Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SMCTT) to advise on the 2004 sugar crop.

Rajaram said those discussions outlined the areas where cane was to be harvested and the method of harvesting, but only TICFA showed interest in ensuring the crop’s success. He said TICFA currently controls 65 percent of the cane-weighing scales and will be responsible for “the most serious part” of the crop in the north, in the area surrounding the now defunct Brechin Castle sugar factory. Rajaram added that TICFA has held a series of meetings with the SMCTT about preparations for the crop while CFAT and CPAT “did nothing” and accused these groups of “causing tension” in the sugar belt. He declared that both these groups have “absolutely no idea” about how to properly operate the scales and the loss of TICFA’s expertise in this area would spell certain disaster for the crop’s success. Rajaram stressed that TICFA does not want to monopolise control of the weighing scales and this was why the association has opted to handle 65 percent of the scales.

The TICFA PRO said if all goes well, it was possible for the SMCTT to achieve a production target of 80,000 tonnes of sugar. The company’s stated target is 75,000 tonnes of sugar. Last month, Agriculture Minister Jarrette Narine said preparations for the 2004 crop were going well. Rajaram said TICFA met with Narine recently and expressed its disappointment about its price per tonne of cane being increased from $170 to $180 instead of the $200 they hoped for. He added that Narine said he would take their concerns to Cabinet. The TICFA PRO also called on National Security Minister Martin Joseph to investigate a recent pattern of indiscriminate cane fires which he said could affect the overall success of the crop. Rajaram reiterated that TICFA would never abandon the local sugar industry because the farmers annually invested $20 million to ensure the crop’s success.