And if the Corozal North Area Rep looked sun beaten, it's because he spoke to us after taking a short break from tending to his cane fields. Apart form being a politician, he's also as a farmer from Patchakan - and his family is known to bring in large volumes of cane. Today, he told that the next crop season may have abysmal yields in quantity and quality.
Here's how he made the point that stand-over cane from last season, as well as the persistent rains over the previous few months, has negatively impacted the sugar industry:
Hugo Patt - Cane Farmer, Patchakan Village
"We're taking a beating right here with sugar, Jules. It's just crazy. Going forward, in terms of the agricultural sector, we will be able to survive. We have to adapt and practically cut down on many things in order for us to survive. While the prices of sugar gave the farmers some sort of relief, My God, the inputs are just crazy."
Jules Vasquez
"The cost of fertilizers, the cost of fuel."
Hugo Patt
"What made it worst is that look, this administration cut the fuel subsidy on the farmers. A lot of people depended on that, and the cut wasn't just a 5 or 10%. It was - at a point in time, I think it was over 60% cut. So, all of that affected the entire sector. And so, going forward, I think it is a challenge. I think it will be interesting for us to get a look at what the production will be next year. It is my clear indication that 1, because of the high cost of production, sugar production is not going to look good. And secondly, we have an issue with the factory. They did not receive all the cane that was out there in the fields, and so, those fields that were left behind, pretty much, we're gonna lose them. The [uknown term] infestation in the air is very high. So, more than likely, that will affect, and then we have a very exceptional year in terms of rains. So, you combine that, and the outlook for the farmers is not looking good. So, I - myself - had to take that time to be out on the farms to make sure that we stretch those little cents because it's very difficult. And so, I think this is not only for sugar cane. This is for the entire agro-productive sector. I think we're on for tough times. I have been very vocal at the times that I've had the opportunity to speak about agriculture because I am seeing what is coming ahead."
According to Patt, the high fuel cost is one of the most significant contributors to the production costs of sugar cane.
