PM Says Crop Delay is Opportunity to Improve Product

John Briceño

Reporters also questioned PM Briceño about S.I.C.B.’s position and what he foresees to be the implications of the delay.  According to the PM, the delay presents an opportunity for farmers to deliver quality cane when milling does commence.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Simply what was pointed out by the SIBC that have said that they have not gazetted, just by following the law, that they have not gazetted the day for the opening date of the sugar crop. I believe that the sugar crop should start and it should start now. But, I will meet with the Minister by Wednesday the latest to see what SICB has done. But, to start the crop, we need to start it soon.   There are no implications, simply because the crop has not started yet. Secondly the amount of rain that we have been having over the past week, it would be counterproductive to start the crop right now. The cane is going to be full of water. So, we are going to use a lot more cane to produce a ton of sugar. The road is going to be in such a bad state that we are going to be breaking up the roads even more, and we are going breaking up the tractors. And thirdly, BSI is going to be complaining that the cane we are getting is not good quality and contains a lot of mud. So maybe it is the best thing we hold it back a few days.”