Fungal Disease Persist Among Sugar Cane Crops

Earlier this month, we reported on fusarium, the fungal disease that has cane farmers in the Corozal District on high alert as it rapidly spreads through their crops. These farmers remain vigilant as the disease, which causes wilting and yellowing of sugar cane, continues to pose a threat. The Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute is diligently managing the situation. Amidst this outbreak, the announcement of a record sugar cane price brings a mix of relief and concern. We spoke with Shawn Chavarria, the Financial Director of Belize Sugar Industries, to understand how this will impact the upcoming seasons.

 

Shawn Chavarria, Financial Director, B.S.I.

“The situation with fusarium is one that continues to develop. We’ve been bringing experts from outside of Belize to give us advice and recommendation on how to tackle it. B.S.I. had brought in experts from Mexico and also Florida to assist, evaluate the situation. They’ve made some very good recommendations, which we starting to take on board. In terms of the mill readiness, our objective remains for to get the plant ready for a start early December. We are actually targeting the ninth of December and the recommendation from the experts are also to try to start the crop early because with the fusarium, the cane will quality will just continue to deteriorate. And so the longer you wait, the more deterioration you will have. I think, honestly, for this coming crop, it will be a question of the fields. Are the fields in a good condition because of the amount of rainfall we’ve had that farmers will be able to get in and harvest their cane. So I think fields and I also think sugar roads because we know that the heavy rainfall has also been damaging sugar road. So I think those two factors might be the main issues that could affect a timely start to the crop. But from the mills standpoint we are targeting to be ready for the ninth of December and the experts are also advising us to try to start early so that you know, the facade room does not  deteriorate the key in quality any further.”