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Boost for
Barbados sugar restructuring plan |
June 25, 2007
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BIS): The planned restructuring of
the sugar industry in Barbados is likely to receive a boost
in the form of technical assistance from the governments of
China and Mauritius, according to
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator
Erskine Griffith, who has cited the development of suitable
varieties of fuel cane, technology transfer in the area of
water management, and a potential market for sugar exports
as among the possible areas for technical cooperation.
Griffith, who recently returned home, was part of an
official delegation to China for celebrations that marked
the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between that country and Barbados. He subsequently
visited Mauritius to attend a meeting of the Council of the
International Sugar Organisation (ISO). |
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In speaking to the
China talks, Griffith said following discussions with that
country’s Minister of Agriculture , they agreed “ in
principle” on a framework from which a strong technical
assistance programme could be developed for Barbados.
“We discussed areas such as the production of vegetables
using high-tech methods; the issue of further advancing our
cotton programme; and the use of Chinese expertise in
helping to develop our sugar industry, particularly in
trying to find as quickly as possible a variety of cane
which is high in sucrose and bio-masse,” he explained.
In terms of the latter , Griffith noted that while Barbados
currently grew fuel cane varieties which were relatively low
in bio-masse, the production of ethanol and electricity,
which forms part of the transformation project, required a
much higher level of bio-masse as well as sucrose content.
“So, we are trying to find one variety which can satisfy
both demands. The experts at the Cane Breeding Station are
pursuing this by using traditional methods which could take
a minimum of 10 years. We are, therefore, looking for ways
of achieving that objective in a shorter space of time. In
our discussions, the Chinese have indicated a willingness to
work with us on that,” he explained.
On the issue of water management, Griffith reported that
China, like Barbados, also had some areas which were quite
dry due to water scarcity. Pointing out that his Chinese
counterparts had developed various techniques and varieties
of vegetables to cope with these conditions; he said this
was another area identified for the transfer of technology.
During talks with members of the private sector, Griffith
revealed that some interest was expressed in importing sugar
from Barbados. This was after samples of the Plantation
Reserve brand were given to interested parties. Some
follow-up is expected to be made in the near future.
“China is a very large producer of sugar – but the
consumption of sugar is even greater – as a result, they
import approximately 2 million tonnes of sugar annually. If
we can get a small part of that market it will make a great
difference to us,” he explained, stressing that it was
totally to Barbados’ benefit to have sat around the table
with China.
While in Mauritius, Griffith, and his team, also had the
opportunity to engage in fruitful discussions with their
counterparts.
In addition to gleaning useful information from the
conference, Griffith mentioned a visit to a sugar cane
research station where researchers were also working on fuel
canes as being particularly beneficial.
“They are using some varieties which were developed in
Barbados to cross with some developed there; so, that is one
possible area of cooperation that we have discussed,” he
revealed.
Visits to a reconstructed factory akin to that proposed for
the multi-purpose sugar cane plant, as well as to a Living
Sugar Museum were also parts of the Mauritian experience.
“As you know, we are proposing to use the old Bulkeley
Factory in that same manner …where visitors and locals alike
can go and learn about the history of the sugar industry.
So, in that sense, we took the opportunity to look at those
aspects which would assist us in the overall transformation
of the industry,” said Griffith.
The five-day visit to China by the Barbadian delegation,
which was headed by Prime Minister Owen Arthur, was aimed at
exploring opportunities for further collaboration in areas
such as agriculture, sports and tourism. Chief Agricultural
Officer, Barton Clarke, also participated in the
agricultural talks |
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