Yesterday, during our first-ever press encounter with the leadership of the Progressive Sugar Cane Producers Association, we asked them about how they are able to find a common cause with BSI/ASR when their sister association, the BSCFA, has so many complaints.
They told us that even though the company drives a hard bargain sometimes, they press for dialog and negotiations, instead of confrontation:
Cosme Hernandez - General Manager, PSCPA
"I think, like any other organization, we've had our difference with BSI, not one time, many times. But, we've always tried to address it as mature people. We sit around the table instead of going to the media again. I will mention that again. The last thing we want to do is go to the media because everything gets twisted. I'm being honest here. So, we sit around the table, and we bring the challenges and the problems around the table, and we find a way forward. Sometimes, the mill wins. Sometimes, we win. This is a give and take. They need from us as much as we need from them."
Anselmo Marin - Vice-Chairman, PSCPA
"We decided that we will negotiate anything around the table, not on a radio station or a TV station. So, I believe that our people elect us to represent them and try to represent them the best way because if I go and quarrel in the media. I get excited and maybe, I say things that I am not supposed to. So, I believe that we are just trying to do the best that we can, and for our farmers if they have produce to start to harvest, we are ready to go."
