AN independent senator is expressing reservations about there being only one sugar factory in this country.
There have been plans in the works for some years now to make Andrew’s Sugar Factory in St. Joseph a multi-purpose facility, which is expected to see an increase in the production of molasses for the rum industry and the generation of electricity from bagasse. However, speaking in the Upper House recently, Senator John Watson said he is “still wary” of the idea of a one factory operation in Barbados. As such, he is suggesting that some thought should be given to getting more factories back into operation. He was at the time contributing to the debate on a resolution to guarantee a bond of up to $73 million for Barbados Agricultural Management Company Limited arranged by ANSA Merchant Bank.
“I believe we need not two, we probably need four factories in Barbados, so we can divide up the island into four equal parts and service the factories. But the fact is that the sugar cane factory has always been almost self-sufficient. As was said earlier it produces its own power, almost everything in a sugar factory is used. The mud that comes back out is used to put back in the fields as manure; the bagasse goes to burn to make the steam to run the factory; the bagasse could also be used in animal feed,” he said.
Senator Watson added, “So that the sugar factory itself when properly managed and run is a very productive unit and it is something that I think we should look at rather than this massive factory that I am hearing about,” he said.
His comments came as he maintained that the available arable land should be used for food and sugar production, noting that whenever there is higher sugar production, there is higher vegetable production as well. He said anything that can help to reduce the island’s high food import bill should be welcomed, as it will also go a long way in helping to reduce the deficit in the economy going forward.
Turning his attention to the Barbados Agricultural Management Company, Senator Watson suggested that there is “enough evidence” to suggest that the management of the sugar industry can be improved. According to him, one of the areas that seems to be a problem is outdated or old equipment, which he explained can lead to inefficiencies in the industry. He made the point while suggesting that there is a need to revert to cutting canes by hand, rather than machine harvesting. He said not only will it likely increase the tonnage, but time will be saved as it relates to replanting canes.
“Therefore the concern of having to put out $73 million now has to be real one, because that $73 million should be as productive as possible. Now I know it cannot all have returns on it, because if you look the some of the reasons for the $73 million, it is for working capital,” he noted. (JRT)
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