8000 famers still waiting for sugar cane payments from BSCFA
There is tension and unease in the sugar belt tonight. That’s because the third payment to farmers for cane delivered to the Belize Sugar Industries, is delayed. Even worst, there is still no indication when the eight thousand farmers and their families will be paid. So far they say they have been patient but that virtue is running out because the late payment means that their maintenance works and commitments have been thrown off schedule. When News Five’s Delahnie Bain dropped in today, the message was clear, times are “haad” and the people need the money.
Delahnie Bain, Reporting
Days after the third payment for the last sugar cane crop was due, the farmers are not getting any positive news about when funds will be made available. We’ve heard from Alfredo Ortega, the chairman of the committee of management of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association on how far they will go to get their money. But how do the farmers feel about the delay?
conrado cuellar
Conrado Cuellar, Cane Farmer (Translated)
“We, as farmers don’t have to negotiate with B.S.I. they have their own problems. They have Belcogen but when the crop started they were unable to produce the sugar. This problem should not reach there because if they have the capacity to produce the sugar then we shouldn’t have been at this point in the rainy season because it is best to take advantage of the summer months for delivery and the quality of cane.”
Hilario Pech, Cane Farmer
hilario pech
“It’s very serious because we don’t have to say anything with his financial problem because once the cane is made and sold, I we are due our money and this thing has been happening for three years now; they always delay it because they use our money and then they have to go and get a loan to pay us. Now we have to wait until they get that money for we to get our money, which is OUR money that’s due to us.”
The farmers say they budget to live from payment to payment so they are already feeling the effects of the delay.
Conrado Cuellar
“Right now we’re waiting for the money. We want to clean the cane machinery we want to buy grease and oil to be ready for the start of the crop. That dah di damage to me.”
Hilario Pech
“My pickup there, that’s parked; it needs a battery. The truck needs diesel to move it. When we take our money we arrange it so that we meet this third payment. Now when we can’t get this money in time we’re in very serious problem. Financially, we are in a bad, bad state and I think everybody is like that. In two weeks when electricity and everything is due you will start seeing houses get in blackout because they’re gonna cut our electricity, we can’t pay.”
Cornelio Uh, Cane Farmer
“For me it’s very bad because we need that money.”
Delahnie Bain
“How has it affected you?”
cornelio uh
Cornelio Uh
“In a lot of ways, like we need to fix up our trucks to begin the next crop and many other things right. Plus we need to buy food too. I owe the college too because we expected to get a grant from the Fairtrade and that would help we a lot. But the bonus, we need it.”
At this point there are two issues that are left in limbo: when the payment will be made and what happens when the next crop is to start?
Hilario Pech
“If they don’t get no money, not even they can move their equipment. They need that money so they can move and we, the same thing.”
Conrado Cuellar
“We’re in a big debate over why the money won’t be paid which really has nothing to do with us because they have already received the cane. One of their biggest problems is the BELCOGEN but that is their problem not ours.”
Cornelio Uh
“I noh know weh di si B.S.I. wah get money fi pay and like that we wah can’t have wah next crop too because they don’t have money.”
The 2010-2011 crop season is scheduled to start in early December… IF the finances can be found. Delahnie Bain for News Five.
Now here is a good take over and bail out candidate for the GOB if they think that they can run a private industry more effectively, I know that the government is not going to just stand by and see this industry crumble unless they were responsible for it in the first place, if that happens can anyone see where Belize is heading when I was younger sugar was the main Industry in Belize and I believe it still plays a very important role and with tourism being what it is right now this industry needs some immediate assistance.
Cane farmers I believe that you guys need to return that core sampler that was stolen and just accept the fact that it is a necessary evil if you want to refer to it as such, at this point you guys will have to take some of the blame for what’s happening in this industry it is your responsibility to grow a quality product if you guys were the ones purchasing the cane would you like to purchase a diseased product after all this is your livelihood and you guys should want the best for it remember a half of loaf is better than no loaf at all.
The cane farmers NEED TO GET INTO BIO DIESEL TO HECK WITH BSI LET THEM STARVE
Bio fuels is not a good option for Belize. Infact it is has very little chance for success since the countries purchasing such fuels have strict regulations on whom they get their fuel from. A country would need to have a certain level of food security for it to be an option. We import most of our products so it puts us on a dark spot.
However I do think the cane farming industry can get back on its feet. The cane farmers have to stop involving politics into their game and think straight! The have to choose qualified representatives and need to unite to solve their issues. There typical faming method is not competitive with the rest of the world. The have to join forces and reduce the per field expenses and work harder on delivering quality products!
Another recommendation would be to start diversifying crops! If sugar dont make it, other crops may have a better chance!
The GOB should also look at supporting agriculture in our country! for years we have had agriculture schools and the students endup working at casinos and retailshops! there has to be more investment in this field by the GOB, this would help all areas of our country!
WE STILL WANT TO KNOW………….. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATH OF THE CANE FARMER DURING THE LAST (core sampler) PROTEST!!!!!
WHO SHOULD WE HOLD ACCOUNTABLE?????????????????????????????
@S M bze Do you have any idea how much diesel is burned in this country? Between jatropha trees the Paradise tree can also give shade for growing vegetables amongst bio diesel. This is called diversity with which farmers can feed people like you and me and themselves and at least run their own transport!
The farmers are not really or directly responsible for being on their FEET!! BSI is not able to operate because of GREED their electrical generation does not work and they bet money it would and lost.
Let us reopen Libertad by the farmers for the farmers and get on with the task at hand.
Like I said in my previous comment. BSI spent the Farmers money on the co-generation project. The last season was a disaster and many farmers lost a lot. BSI doesn’t lose anything, their profit was already taken into consideration. Co-generation should benefit the farmer but instead BSI got greedy wanted to have all the profit for themselves. Now they spent all the money on something that is not working. To make things worse they want SS money, the Belizeans (farmers) money to bail them out.
Let us sit and watch what SS board would do. Should we just sit and watch?
The media should give more covering on this issue. It is half of the country that is in danger. If the North goes down the whole country will go down!