FROME, Westmoreland — Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green is urging sugar cane growers to get back into farming. According to Green, investments by Pan-Caribbean Sugar Company Limited have made the sector more profitable.

Pan-Caribbean recently invested more than US$1 million in farm equipment that is expected to increase efficiency.

“What I was happy to hear today in our meeting with the farmers and the harvest committee is that Frome is now saying to farmers, invest in farming. Go back into sugar cane production because they have raised their efficiency. They have looked at the price of cane and know it is profitable. They are encouraging more farmers to repurpose their fields, get back out there; and more than that, they are willing to provide the support, which is important,” relayed Green.

He was speaking with the media following a meeting and tour of the Westmoreland-based Frome Sugar Factory, which is operated by Pan-Caribbean Sugar Company Limited.

“We would have spoken to the factory about providing support directly to the farmers in terms of input support, but importantly, helping them with the harvesters that they now have so that they can become more efficient… working with those farmers so that they can increase their returns on their investment,” the minister added.

Green noted that farmers and manufacturers are seeing the highest prices for sugar in a decade.

“Clearly, once the prices have gone up and once they’re able to increase their efficiency, then they’re able to operate more profitable enterprises,” he said.

“We are seeing, for the first in a long time, more farmers asking for land to increase [their farming]. We are seeing companies now asking for more land to increase cane production. Outside of that, we’re seeing a brand new company looking to set up shop in Jamaica to start sugar production. It’s an exciting time for our sugar industry again,” added the minister.

While there was a downturn in the crop as a result of winds from Hurricane Beryl and rain from Tropical Storm Rafael last year, Frome Sugar Factory in Westmoreland currently has more than 2,500 hectares of cane ready for reaping.

Wednesday’s visit by the agriculture minister came at the start of the new sugar harvesting season for Pan-Caribbean. Green met with company officials and farmers to hear about the challenges they face and tell them about steps the Government is taking to transform the sugar sector.

He said his ministry has been working with private sector partners who run sugar factories to see how the Government can help drive growth.

According to Green, during a meeting with Pan-Caribbean last year the company made a commitment to invest in the sector if the Government could provide support to farmers. He said both sides kept their end of the bargain and it has paid off.

“We’re very happy with the growth, and we will continue to work with the farmers, work with the factory to drive the resurgence of our sugar industry,” the minister promised.