Elgin Taylor
Lluidas Vale
THE WORTHY Park Sugar Estates Limited in Lluidas Vale, St. Catherine began production in the first week of January for the 2003 sugar crop harvesting season, amid high projections and much frustration with the established authorities.
Managing director Robert Clarke is projecting that 25,000 tonnes of sugar will be produced this season. This is similar to last year's. He told The Gleaner that he is also expecting an increase in cane supply of approximately 200,000 tonnes over last year's. However, the project shall remain the same because the heavy rains which fell between May and October last year will result in a low conversion ratio of cane to sugar.
Despite a fairly positive internal outlook for the 332 year-old sugar factory, which employs 600 persons, Mr. Clarke enumerated a host of concerns and disappointments at the stance taken by government towards them.
Firstly, he noted the appalling conditions of the secondary and arterial roads, which cane farmers, who sell their produce to his factory have to use. These cane farmers hail from as far as Bog Walk, St. Catherine in the east to James Hill, Clarendon in the West. He lamented the fact that as a result of this situation, farmers have to pay high rates for transportation costs. He put this down to tardiness and foot-dragging on the part of the Government.
Previously, he said, the roads used to be fixed by November of each year in preparation for the start of the harvesting season in January of the following year. Today, this is not the case. He said that he has just learnt that a sum of money has been allocated for that purpose through the Sugar Industry Authority (SIA).
The Worthy Park Sugar Estate is one of the more efficient sugar factories in the island. This, Mr. Clarke attributed to the process of retooling and regeneration, which has become a feature of his company as it applies to physical, human and material resources. He cited for example, that they are currently involved in a process of computerisation, which should be complete within the next two years. He also spoke of proper maintenance and overall accountability.
However, his outlook at the future of the industry is less than flattering. He bemoaned what he said is the fact that the sugar industry has been waiting for an answer from Government for the longest while regarding its future. He said that over the past two years, three extensive studies have been presented to the Government for their consideration, but nothing tangible has been done. He said he is aware that a fourth study, which is deemed to be a "harmonising" of the previous three is yet to be completed.
In the meantime, he said, the industry continues to be "drowned in the sea of inefficiency for lack of planning, financing and clear decision making, which can only be described as "political".
Against this background of indecision by Government, Mr. Clarke cited other examples. These include, no forthcoming remedy by Government to address the matter of cattle damage, as cited by the Sugar Industry Research Institute (SIRI); the promise by the Government, through its Agricultural Minister, Roger Clarke, to deal with stray cattle as of December 2001; and also the question to address the matter of the illegal importation of refined and brown sugar into the island, which has caused unfair competition to the legal players in the sugar industry.
He said the time for action was well overdue. Notwithstanding, he affirmed that the industry players need to, "pull up their socks" and to begin running their affairs in a businesslike and efficient manner.
