News

Jamaica’s Major Push on Sugar

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - September 10, 2013

Above: a sugar cane plant

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jamaica says it is embarking on a significant push to boost sugar production in the country.

The Jamaican Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has begun a “massive” cane planting and replanting effort, something which could increase production on the island to around 1.4 million tonnes by 2018, the government said.

The initiative is part of Jamaica’s Cane Expansion Fund, a partnership between the government and the European Union.

“We are aiming to increase cane yields to above 70 tonnes of cane per hectare from the current average of 50 tonnes (cane farmers) and bring an estimated 8,000 hectares of new land into production,” said Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke.
Jamaica’s sugar industry produced more than 600,000 tonnes of sugar annually in the mid-1960s, a number that fell to 128,000 tonnes during the 2012/2013 period.

Despite its struggles, however, sugar earns around $90 million in foreign exchange for Jamaica every year, according to government data. That makes it the largest foreign exchange earner in the country’s agricultural sector.

We cannot forget the sterling contribution of sugar to the education, health and sporting capacity of this country,” Mr. Clarke says.

In spite of the positive contribution of the sugar sector in many areas, there are significant challenges, which must be dealt with, he says.

“We cannot forget the sterling contribution of sugar to the education, health and sporting capacity of this country,” Clarke said. “In short, our industry output is low, our productivity is low and our costs are high. These are some of the key challenges we are now tackling head-on.”

Popular Posts w punta cana

A New All-Inclusive W Hotel Is Opening This Year in Punta Cana 

The first-ever all-inclusive W Hotel in the Caribbean is opening this year in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The hotel, part of a broad expansion for parent company Marriott International, is on the list of expected 2024 […]


Why Grenada Is a New Caribbean Luxury Hotspot

beach house silversands

From its world-renowned chocolate to its pristine beaches to a region-leading focus on sustainability, Grenada is as fascinating and unique as destination as you’ll find in the Caribbean.  But in the last few years, the lush Eastern Caribberan island has […]


5 Adults-Only Resorts to Visit Right Now in the Caribbean 

galley bay

Sometimes you just want that extra degree of serenity, of privacy, of seclusion. There is a reason, after all, that adults-only resorts are booming in popularity, particularly in the Caribbean: travelers want to know that when they arrive, they know […]


Related Posts doctors cave beach with waves

Jamaica Adding New Automated Passport Kiosks

In a a bid to expedite processing at two of the Caribbean’s busiest airports, Jamaica is adding new automated passport control kiosks in Kingston and Montego Bay.  The new kiosks aim to “streamline passenger flow,” according to a statement from […]


The Cool List: the Coolest Hotels in the Caribbean for 2024

the cool list 2024

They’re different. They’re fun, they’re colorful, they’re unique. They’re themselves. The Caribbean has no shortage of cool hotels and in this, Caribbean Journal’s 12th annual Cool List, we highlight the places that hit you in a different way, that do […]


The 25 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean, from Adults-Only to Boutique

hammock cove in antigua

What is an all-inclusive resort? In recent years, the answer to that question has changed dramatically. Today, all-inclusive means a resort that is at the cutting edge of travel trends, one that is catering to the demands of a massive […]


SUBSCRIBE!

Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.


No. Thank You