By Clive Simpson, Freelance Writer
Hampden Sugar Factory in happier times. - File
WESTERN BUREAU:
FARMERS WHO formerly supplied cane to the Hampden Sugar Factory in Trelawny, which was recently closed by the Government, are now facing trying times and are now seeking state assistance to help them cope.
In the wake of the decline in business, the Wakefield People's Co-operative Bank, which previously provided the farmers with loans, has indicated that it will cease operation at the end of the month. Consequently farmers with outstanding loans are seeking Government's assistance to write off these loans.
"I have been told that the PC Bank is closing down at the end of March because they do not have the business they used to," said George Fray, the chairman of the Hampden Cane Farmers Association.
"They told me that whatever money I have in the bank will have to go towards what I owe them. Those who do not owe will get back their money."
Just over three weeks ago, the Hampden cane farmers, who are now sending their cane to the Long Pond Estate, held a public meeting in Wakefield to reiterate their displeasure over the decision to lock down the factory, as well as to petition the Government to lease them the estates, including the cane lands and distillery.
Mr. Fray said Dr. Patrick Harris, the Member of Parliament for Northern Trelawny, undertook to present their case to Agriculture Minister, Roger Clarke, and report back to them in two weeks. However, at the conclusion of the two weeks, they never got the promised report.
"We're having a grave problem," declared Mr. Fray. "Even if Hampden is not opened to us this crop I am still saying, lease the factory to us. We want to assist and run it."
Until the matter is dealt with, the farmers have no choice but to truck their canes to the Long Pond Estate, located in Clark's Town, nearly 30 miles away. According to Mr. Fray, all is not going well with that situation and he says he wants the Minister to know that all is not well.
In addition to the new transportation dilemma faced with transporting their cane to Long Pond, some farmers are fearful that the Long Pond Estate might not be able to cope with cane supplied by the large volume of cane coming its way.
With the expectation of April-May showers and the slow pace of harvesting the fields, there is also a concern that some farmers will end up with low sucrose yielding canes while others run the risk of seeing their crops spoilt in the ground.
