So, since they both agree that the guessing game for the total amount of cane hasn't been working, we wondered about the implementation of the Sugar Industry Management Information System.
It is also known as SIMIS for short, and this project was supposed to provide detailed mapping of all cane fields in the north with the use of GPS and satellite imagery. The way it was explained to us 4 years ago, when it was initially launched, is that it would allow the Sugar Cane Production Committee, the factory owners, and the farmers to know exactly how much cane is being cultivated.
The issue is that the program, which was marketed as the solution to this problem, has reportedly not been receiving buy-in from the wary farmers, who apparently still have trust issues with the millers.
ASR's Mac McLachlan mentioned SIMIS yesterday, and we asked the Agriculture Minister, who is a veteran cane farmer, about this project. Here's how they put it:
Malcolm (Mac) McLachlan - V.P. International Relations, ASR Group
"We have already made a tool for the industry called the Sugar Industry Management Information System that will if you properly utilized - and I'm anticipating that this is something that the institutions will now institute because that's very important for really managing the crop properly, and understanding how much cane there is the supply, where it is, and all these different factors. This is the year where that really needs to be employed fully. Then, all of these differences that you hear about cane supply in future years won't be there anymore. So, my message really is, let's get on with the crop. Let's get it moving, and secondly, let's manage it properly. Let's make sure that we're using a scientific basis, as any other sugar industry would do, and that will then cut out some of the problems that we've had in the past about who has cane, who doesn't have cane and all of those issues. We've had that tool now there for 4 years, and there's been some reluctance to fully embrace it. I'm hoping the new government will fully embrace it, along with their commitment to making sure that they're moving forward in partnership with the private sector."
Hon. Jose Mai - Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, Enterprise
"I am supportive of anything and everything that will allow us to move the country forward. If SIMIS is a tool that can help us to really make an exact estimate of how much cane we have and will allow us to develop the policies that are needed, I'm supporting it 100%. I understand right now, the maps that they have at the Sugar Cane Production Committee are in total disarray. SIMIS is only software, you know, garbage in, garbage out, simple as that. There's no software to help us. If we put garbage in there, it will give us garbage. And to be honest, I need to get an update on where we are with SIMIS, and if it is something, I'm certain it can help us, how much, I don't know. Is there much more that we can do to get it accurate? Yes? Let us move forward with it."
Reporter
"So, how do you encourage your fellow cane farmers who may be part of the crowd that's resisting or isn't showing any sort of confidence in the accuracy it can provide?"
Hon. Jose Mai
"Let me tell you something, Mr. Ortiz. 10 years ago, whenever BSI proposed something, farmers opposite it. 5 years ago, the resistance lowered. It's all about building confidence. The historical relationship between the miller and the cane farmers has been a very nasty one. And I was like that too. Anything that BSI proposed, I opposed because I had no confidence in what they were doing is good for me, only good for themselves. We have to build a relationship."
"Everybody wants better pay. It's about education. It's about building confidence measures and relationships between the mill and the cane farmers. And we have to advocate that."
In other news connected to the sugar industry, 7News has learned that there are transition tremors at the Sugar Cane Production Committee.
Marcos Osorio, the Chairman of the Sugar Industries Controlled Board, confirmed to us that Elroy Ak, the Manager of the SCPC was terminated on Monday, the same day that the new crop season started.
This morning, 4 members from the SCPC's permanent team, who used to work with the former manager, also informed the SICB Chairman that they were resigning from their posts. Those who resigned included the former delivery data officer, the infrared technician - who was involved with the cane quality program - and 2 field officers.
Osorio told us that he could not reveal the reason for the termination of the former Manager. He said that this former staff member may seek legal recourse against the termination, and so, he does not want to discuss it at this time.
As for the resignation of the 4 members of the SCPC's permanent team, he said that he had a meeting with them this morning to explain his expectation of them as employees. He said that after that presentation, each of the 4 formally announced their intent to resign.
Osorio tells us that he believes that the resignations were a show of solidarity with the former manager who was sent home. He also added that there are Belizean youths in the north with strong educational backgrounds who are longing for a job. So, he believes that there will be suitable replacements in the coming days.
But, in the meantime, these resignations are already causing problems with the efficient flow of the crop season only 3 days in.
7News has obtained a copy of a letter that ASR/BSI sent to Osorio today.
That letter says quote, "...The 2020-2021 crop has started with sporadic cane delivery which is worrisome at a critical time….
For the Tower Hill Mill to function optimally...(BSI) is in vital need of effective communication between the Sugar Cane Production Committee personnel and the farmers, to remove any confusion… We have observed this afternoon, long queues of cane trucks waiting to deliver cane…..We are also discovering anecdotally, from truck drivers, that the delivery is not being well organized, and that there is need for improved communication with them on where to queue up and when to proceed to the factory…as we approach the holiday weekend, it is critical that there is sufficient supply of cane in order to not jeopardize the crop, and the key responsibility of the SCPC [is] to ensure interruptions are avoided. We kindly request that you call an urgent SCPC meeting to address this situation." End quote.
