All is not lost for local cane farmers ... The Government is going to subsidise the movement of their cane to Worthy Park and Appleton to the tune of $50 million
“Ironically, if you pass by the factory daily, smoke can be seen coming from the chimney, indicating that the distillery is operating in the production of rum. Energy at work,” Rickards noted.
However, he pointed out that all is not lost for cane farmers in Trelawny as the Government will be assisting them to get their canes to other factories outside of the parish.
“All is not lost for local cane farmers,” said Rickards. “The Government is going to subsidise the movement of their cane to Worthy Park and Appleton to the tune of $50 million. Everglades, which are the owners of the Long Pond lands on which cane is being produced, will have to make their own preparations to have their cane transported to either of the two factories.”
Rickards noted that the cane farmers can also look forward to an increase in the price of cane supplied to the factories.
“The price of sugar cane will show an increase in the coming year. Last year, the price was just over $56,000 per ton. This is expected to move to $76,000, an increase of just about $20,000,” the AIJCFA president told The Gleaner.
In addition to the increase in prices, Rickards said there a project being worked on to make further use of farmers’ cane. He noted that the AIJCFA plans to manufacture cane juice and have it canned for consumers. Grant funding is now being sought to make the project a reality.