By Cedric Johnson, Gleaner WriterWESTERN BUREAU:
DESPITE THE continuing scourge of illegal cane fires, the Frome Sugar Factory, in Westmoreland, has been doing well. Halfway through the season, the factory has produced over 27,000 tonnes of sugar, almost 50 per cent above projected target.
"We have been doing better than projected and have exceeded all our targets," said Aston Smith, operations manager of the Sugar Company of Jamaica, in an interview with The Gleaner last week.
"More than 27,000 tonnes of sugar have been produced so far. We have done 5,400 tonnes better than the same period last year."
According to Mr. Smith, the quality of the cane being supplied to the factory has shown marked improvement over last year. He noted that during the corresponding period last year, it took over 13 tonnes of cane to make a tonne of sugar while the sugar ratio this year stands slightly over 11 to one.
Mr. Smith said there was still a big problem with arson. He said, while causes of the fires are still unknown, a committee set up to examine the situation has launched education campaigns within the cane belt districts.
"We have had over 181,000 tonnes of canes that have been reaped because they were burnt illegally," said Astil Sangster, president of the West End Cane Farmers Association. "This is putting a great strain on the factory as it is getting more canes than it can handle and that is clogging up the system."
Veteran cane farmer Alexander Barnaby said he has become quite fed up with the illicit canes fires and is suggesting that revolutionary means be employed to minimise the impact caused by these fires.
"I have suggested to the authorities that the Army should be deployed to patrol the sugar cane fields but nobody is listening," said Mr. Barnaby. "I really believe they should do it because sugar is so vital to the economy."
Mr. Barnaby feels that as soon as a cane fire is reported, the factory should use its chopper to reap the freshly burnt cane before the sucrose content is diminished.
The 2003-2004 sugar crop, which started in late November, is not expected to end until late April or early May, which means another 10 to 11 weeks of milling.
