Belize Sugar Industries ‘bruk’ and can’t make payments
The Belize Sugar Industries Limited has announced that it is unable to make the third payment for the 2009-2010 crop, which is due to cane farmers on November eighth. The delay in payment is the result of a decision by I.N.G. Bank not to renew its agreement with B.S.I., which expired on September thirtieth, because of the downward trend in cane supply over recent years. B.S.I. turned to the Social Security Board for interim funding and a ten million dollar loan was approved but is yet to be disbursed. But while the loan logistics are worked out, the delayed third payment leaves the cane farmers in a tough situation because they depend on the money to cover operational expenses and provide for their families. Today the People’s United Party expressed its concern for the farmers and called on the government to intervene and address the issues affecting the industry. According to the PUP’s release, G.O.B. neglecting the industry threatens its survival and the livelihood of over eight thousand farmers and their families. The opposition party also warns that if the issue is not resolved, it could lead to serious conflict between the farmers and B.S.I. It ends by urging government to have S.S.B. release the approved funds, rather than focusing on the fifty million dollars investment in Telemedia.
Who got dehn hands in da cookie jar?
ACCOUNTABILITY………………….INTEGRITY……………………MORALITY………….. mean anything???
MAYBE…………..Maybe it’s time to (slowly) re-introduce the dreaded CORE SAMPLER, AND TO TEACH FARMERS HOW TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCT.
A better produce should mean more money……….
First rice, now sugar.
To the government – if you’re going to have a controlled economy in which you guarantee people that their crop will be purchased, then you have to make sure there’s a market.
Otherwise, you’re starving people to death and you might as well let the free market take over so that people grow what THEY think they can sell, not what YOU tell them to grow.
Also, why did the government-controlled rice company have to go to Belize Bank to get a loan carrying an interest rate of 22%, while the sugar people went to Social Security and presumably will get a loan at a much lower interest rate.
This doesn’t make sense.
@ Robert…everyone got thier hands in the cookie jar…everyone..that is except the hardworking cane farmers
This is lone bull… BSI broke… aha I dont believe that at all… As always the poor are always the ones to suffer…
many people do not know the hardship which the cane farmers are going through.
many cane farmers depend on the third payment, and thus BSI, G.O.B. and also the association are taking advantage of the canefarmers. BSI all the time says that the canefarmers have the fault but thats not the case, this year was one of the longest sugar seasons in the history of sugar cane and one of the worst. this was due to the old machinery which BSI has. they don not provide the adequate and proper machinery.
GOB – they just care about the revenues they will get and believe me its plenty.
Association- they do not do a thing to help the farmers, they just think for their selves.
I think that this is an extremely important situation which needs the proper attention and planning for every one to be happy
WE NEED LEADERS WITH VISION………..
When the LEADERS HAVE NO VISION………. the PEOPLE WILL PERISH!!!
It is a shame. They spent the farmers money in Co-generation. A project that the farmers would not even benefit from and they spent it on that project. Last year a farmer got killed and this year BSI without any apologies goes and asks for money our SS money.
It is quite obvious this Government does not care anything about cane farmers. How long have they been waiting for good roads to drive their trucks on. How many contracts have they signed since getting into office regarding starting the work on the Progresso road which is one of the main roads for commerce in the Northern part of the country. Contracts are being signed left right and center. Every two months you see picture in the paper of a contract being signed and work to start immediately well just for all information the Progresso road is literally rocks you are driving your car on sharp rocks and the last cane season so many cane farmers were on the side of the road with broken down trucks loaded down with cane. Imagine trying to get your produce to the mill and trying to change a broken wheel and we are almost starting another cane season and it will be the same thing. Had election been detained a few more months Progresso would have had it’s road but the UDP had to take the money to pave Albert street and Regent street since that is the roads they have to ride on. They do not ride the Progresso road so they could care less only the poor Progresso people and the cane farmers have to contend with that road. However when it is election time and they have to come to Progresso to court the voters then they manage to spread some mall and grade the road so that their delicate behinds won’t have a rough ride. I hope the cane farmers will stand up and let this Government know they will not sit back and take it because at this point only drastic behavior will work in this country it is way way pass talking.
it is sad that we do not have a minister of agriculture that is serious about this country as the potential is so huge that we could be called the bread basket of central america and the cane farmers have become a political casino.If changes in the politics of this country will not change
mixed farming will end up in the same street ( dump street) as the cane farmers are now and it will cost us our freedom. Wake up Prime minister make a change in your cabinet in time.