Concerns over sugar crop in Barbados

While Belizean citrus growers have finally agreed on a price formula, growers of sugar cane in Barbados are still wrestling with problems in that island’s centuries old industry. The C.B.C.’s Tracy Knight reports.

Hands that have toiled for over forty years, helping to build this country’s sugar industry. He’s one of a dying group of small farmers across Barbados, who sometimes cultivate as little as a half acre of can and this year they say, they’re not expecting as higher yield as last year.

George Elliot Maynard, Canecutter

“I cannot get as much as last year, we would have gotten the same amount, but the rain is not as nice as the year before.”

Some small farmers say getting their canes from the fields to the factory is a problem at times, but they don’t expect this to be a major set back this year.

An event though some of this island’s small farmers are satisfied with the way things are going in this year’s harvest those workers who form the backbone of this island’s sugar industry continue to be unhappy about the wages that they receive.

Canecutter

“Well the pay was there so long, and they won’t do nothing with it, so you have to satisfy with what you get, if you want to make a living. So, can’t say no.”

Canecutters are often exposed to several dangers while on the job. Including life threatening Leptospirosis and possible injury. To those not accustom as this reporter found out, can cutting is a difficult task. But in spite of all this there is some who find it a pleasure in playing their part during the annual crop.

Eunis Lynch, Canecutter

“Yes, it does feel good. I love work, I enjoy working.”

Tracy Knight, CBC News.