A case study on the sugar cane industry conducted by the National Commission on Science and Technology, has recommended that the Govern-ment provide financial and tax incentives for persons who want to invest in the sugar cane sector, including foreign investors.

It also proposed that tax exemptions on relevant equip-ment be offered, as well as assistance with soft loans through the Development Bank of Jamaica, for plant upgrading.

The research, the contents of which were revealed by Consultant Noel Osbourne last Tuesday at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston, called for the promotion of sugar cane as a viable crop for the production of ethanol and electricity for sale to the national grid, and for the Government to develop a clearly-defined policy on renewable energy. This, Mr. Osbourne explained, would enable the sugar cane industry, the Jamaica Public Service Company or any private power plant to negotiate power purchase agreements.

Policies needed

The report further recom-mended the formulation of policies that encouraged improvements in energy use in sugar cane factory operations, which would, in turn, allow for the generation of surplus bagasse for generating electricity.

"The substitution of bagasse energy for oil energy will result in economic benefits to Jamaica, financial benefits to the sugar cane industry and positive environmental benefits in terms of reducing green-house gas emissions," the report said.

Feedback: john.myers@gleanerjm.com.