Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Pearnel Charles Jr, is calling on sugar cane farmers, to make better use of research, science and technology, to increase their production and productivity.

Noting that there has been a steady decline in the number of canes harvested and crushed since 2019, Mr. Charles Jr said, unstable production, low quality and loss of revenue, due to inefficiency, were some of the factors, contributing to the decline.

Some 499,043 tonnes of sugar cane were harvested and crushed in 2021, compared to 736,515 tonnes in 2019.

In addition, there has also been a decline in sugar sales for 2021, in both the local and export markets, moving from 42,612 tonnes in 2020 to 31,053 tonnes.

He challenged the sugar industry authority, to use its expertise to guide farmers on the varieties, that are most suited for cultivation and will result in the best yields.

Noting that the sugar cane industry still has an important role to play in the nation’s business, Mr. Charles Jr said, the government is actively working to ensure the country can produce enough sugar, to cover local demand for brown sugar, as well as export to the region.