THE EDITOR, Sir:I AGREE with no reservation that diversification in the sugar industry can be considered as a means of ensuring efficiency and viability. It is surprising, however, that stakeholders can now posit that diversification is what the sugar industry needs to survive. What were the previous justifications for not embarking on such an alternative?
Investment in production may lead to increased output, better efficiency and economic growth, but does not necessarily lead to job creation. As reported by the Sugar Industry Association, up to the 1980s, sugar cane fields represented a quarter of the lands cultivated in Jamaica and accounted for 18 per cent of local employment.
NEW TECHNOLOGY
Investment in machinery lowers the demand for labour, so if the argument is that there will be loss of jobs, then forgive my stupidity, but what will investment in new technology bring about? Where were all these wry and innovative ideas when all was going better than it is now?
What the sugar industry
needed was a good management team of forward-lookers in thought, who possessed the
ability to spot potential threats in the industry and give new ideas, recommendations and implement procedures and policies to hedge against uncertainties. Was it that the management of the sugar industry and the Government were too comfortable and still held the belief that "If it isn't broke, don't fix it?'
I am, etc.,
HODINE WILLIAMS
hodine.williams@uwimona.edu.jm
67 Sundown Crescent
Molynes Gardens
Kingston
Via Go-Jamaica
