News

Jamaica’s Major Push on Sugar

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - September 10, 2013 - 5:16 am

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 antigua long bay

25 Perfect Caribbean Beaches to Add to Your Summer Bucket List

There’s nothing like a Caribbean beach in summer. The crowds thin out, the winds relax, and the islands start breathing in a different way. The beaches you thought you knew feel new again— stretches of sand once packed with winter […]


The 15 Best Hotels in Trinidad and Tobago, From Hidden Eco-Retreats to Luxury Towers

trinidad and tobago hotels where to stay

From Port of Spain to Tobago’s quiet coasts, these are the places to check in now No two Caribbean islands are quite like Trinidad and Tobago—and no two hotels here feel the same. This is a destination of contrast: Carnival […]


Jamaica Just Got an Upgraded US Travel Advisory: “A Great Step Forward” 

seven mile beach white sand

Last year’s US Travel Advisory led to a slowdown in tourist arrivals to Jamaica. But in what’s hoped to be a major shift, the US State Department just upgraded Jamaica’s rating.  Jamaica’s travel advisory has improved from Level 3 to […]


Related Posts jamaica tourism ambassador

Jamaica Just Tapped Usain Bolt As the Island's New Global Tourism Ambassador

Jamaica’s tourism growth hasn’t been quite as brisk as the island might like in the last year. And with the Jamaica Tourist Board looking to change that, it’s made the natural choice: tapping the world’s fastest man: Usain Bolt.  The […]


These Are the 10 Best Luxury Resorts in the Caribbean For Families

luxury resorts for families in the caribbean

You know the feeling. The flight’s behind you. The ocean’s ahead. And for once, everyone’s smiling. No tantrums, no teen eye-rolls—just wide Caribbean skies, warm trade winds, and the sound of waves syncing with your own exhale. This is the […]


Montego Bay Is Getting a New Flight From Antigua 

montego bay flights

The reggae. The jerk. The sand. The ackee. The pulse. Montego Bay is filled with music, beaches and bold flavors, and now it’s getting a new nonstop flight from within the Caribbean, Caribbean Journal has learned.  Fast-growing carrier LIAT 20 […]