This evening, we also got a chance to speak with the leadership of the Progressive Sugar Cane Producers Association via Zoom. They are one of the 3 smaller associations that has signed a long-term commercial agreement with the millers, and they are ready to begin commercial operations for the new season.
Unfortunately, they and the other 2 associations: the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers, and the Northern Sugar Cane Growers, cannot begin to pursue a return on their investment because the SICB hasn't completed the legal steps required for the start of the season.
The leadership of the Progressive Sugar Cane Producers Association reminded us that the last time there was a disruption in the industry over the issue of bagasse, they separated from the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association to avoid problems exactly like this one.
Here's how they expressed their frustration that their membership is being impacted by an issue that doesn't directly concern them:
Cosme Hernandez - General Manager, PSCPA
"What is happening now is just going back a few steps behind, which I think Progressive, for sure, has nothing to do with the negotiations between ASR/BSI and BSCFA. They can negotiate as much as they want, take as long as they want. What we want to do, and what we've always done every year - Progressive, I can speak for Progressive - is to be the first one to be able to start crop every year. We are the first ones who are ready to start the crop. I don't see why we should be penalized for a decision that was made last week, when all stakeholders were present, including the Chairman of the SICB, and at no point, it was even mentioned that there won't be any beginning of crop today, the 20th of December. And sadly, the day after, well, an official letter was issued where supposedly we can't deliver cane unless it's Gazetted. So many farmers depend on this. This is the livelihood of the northern people, here in Orange Walk and Corozal."
Anselmo Marin - Vice-Chairman, PSCPA
"Agrochemicals have risen up to [between] 70 and 100% of their previous values, fuel, vehicle maintenance, all kind of maintenance: tires, lubricants, everything. Farmers are losing money every day, especially since everybody has just invested the few dollars that they have to prepare all the machinery. Belmopan doesn't know anything about the cane. They only hear about the cane. They don't know all the details that it takes to prepare for the start of the crop."
Cosme Hernandez
"A lot of farmers had trouble getting loans a few months ago, and usually, a lot of farmers do refinancing every year to prepare their equipment, to finish fertilizing their fields, and we understand a lot of our members - due to the fact that one association hadn't signed their agreement up to today, they were refused to be given any loan. It shouldn't be like that. Frankly, the actions of one person should not affect others. But, it is at the moment. One organization is affecting the other 3 organizations here, the 3 associations."
All 3 of the associations have put the SICB on notice that they want compensation for their membership for the amount of cane they would have otherwise delivered.
