THE role of the Sugar Research Institute has been questioned amid the ongoing discussion of declining sugar production levels.
During the Ministry of Sugar Industry 2021-2022 Annual Report presentation, Standing Committee on Economic Affairs deputy chairwoman Premila Kumar raised concern while pointing out more than $200,000 was spent on new equipment for the institute.
She said despite the investment made by government there was still a low uptake of production of new varieties of sugar cane recommended by SRIF.
“Our findings have shown there is very low uptake,” said Mrs Kumar.
“There is no point in getting the research done where there is a lot of money being spent and if there is no uptake of those varieties.
“And if there is no push for that variety to be planted which has been a problem in the sugar industry.”
In response, Ministry of Sugar Industry director operations Praneel Naidu said larger cane producing growers took on board the recommendations by the institute.
“However, the smallholder farmers who are producing 100 tonnes or less are very hesitant to take that on board the new variety because they are used to a certain variety of cane,” he said.
“A lot of farmers do not want to move away from the ‘mana’ variety.”
Mrs Kumar urged the ministry to submit the number of growers that were not planting cane recommended by the research institute and those that were harvesting other varieties.
