OVER the past three years, Government has focused on assisting 10,000 cane growers who are committed to seeing the industry grow.
Outgoing Sugar Industry Minister Charan Jeath Singh said shifting the focus to the more “serious farmers” meant having a consistent supply of sugar cane to mills.
“Historically, we had about 22,000 farmers, but over the last 10 years that number has significantly reduced, and now we have around 10,000 farmers,” said Mr Singh.
“My policy from the beginning was for us to concentrate on those 10,000 farmers.
“We should reward them so that they increase production.”
He said farmers producing less than 50 tonnes of cane should leave the industry.
“There is no point in assisting a farmer who is producing only 50 tonnes of cane with all of the assistance.
“I would rather give it to the farmer who is producing 300 tonnes, 500 tonnes, and 1000 tonnes.
“The production currently per hectare is about 47 tonnes, which is really bad.
“Those guys who are doing that kind of production should finish off and go and do something else.”
He said over the last three years the ministry has been focused on growers producing more than 125 tonnes per hectare.
“What we have done over the last three years, and I have done this too as a farmer.
“If you are a serious farmer, then you can produce 125 tonnes per hectare, which is what my farm is doing. If I can do it, then they can do it too, but they have to be mindful of the fact that they have to take this seriously and not be hobby farmers.
“So, over the last three years, we have been trying to move away from the farmers who are making fun of the industry.”
