So, this year the northern industry produced just over a million tons of cane delivered to the mill from which just over a hundred thousand tons of sugar were produced.
That's an average year of production buoyed by high prices. But, if yields were higher, the return for farmers and the mill could be so much better. Truth be told, the yield per acre in Belize is among the worst in the world. We asked when that will change:
Jules Vasquez
"Are we missing the big picture by being involved in all this disputation that has become symptomatic or chronic in the cane industry? Are we missing the big picture that the yield in Belize sucks. It's the worst in the world."
"Shouldn't that be the main message?"
Shawn Chavarria, Director of Finance, ASR/BSI
"It should be and to be fair I think it's one that is starting to resonate with you know the stakeholders and these programs that are now coming on stream including the the grant from the Green Climate Fund that's one of the issues that will be tackled through that program and it's being done in conjunction with building climate resiliency because we're going to be introducing new varieties that are climate resilient, renovating these fields and so renovating fields means that you will expect to see better yields and you will have better varieties and so what is expected in that in a few years when these projects are implemented farmers will start seeing an improvement in their yields from their fields and so I think it's a message that has taken a very long time yes to resonate with stakeholders but I think it's one that is finally being acknowledged especially given you have another sugar mill in Belize who they have a very productive farm they are very good yields and I think it's showing everyone the potential."
