BACOLOD CITY – Citing the sugarcane farmers’ need for income after several months of lack of income from their farms, the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters in a press release relayed the appeal of majority of its member-planters to the Sugar Regulatory Administration to jumpstart the milling season in mid-August.
“We wish to bring to your attention the clamor and appeal of most of the member-planters of our federation to reconsider starting the milling operations by mid-August 2023,” stated NFSP president Enrique Rojas in his letter sent to SRA administrator Pablo Luis Azcona recently.
Among the reasons highlighted by NFSP members, many of whom are marginal farmers, according to Rojas, is their need of fresh income, considering that numerous sugar mills stopped milling in April this year.
An overwhelming majority of the almost 100,000 sugarcane farmers in the country are marginal, subsistence farmers who rely solely on income from their farms for their livelihood.
“Hectares of standing canes, which were planted earlier than usual because of the early milling last year, are due for harvest in August,” Rojas stated.
“Some farmers have already contracted cane cutters, and delaying milling will force them to financially support the workers or risk losing them. Moreover, simultaneous start of milling in September can create an overwhelming demand for workers and hauling services, which can result to an unhealthy competition, and can drive up the production costs,” Rojas further explained.
The NFSP president also cited the damage from the recent Typhoon Dodong, with its torrential rains and strong winds which hit sugarcane farms, caused mature canes to lodge, and, if left unharvested, the purity and weight of these distressed canes will suffer. (Gilbert bayoran via TVDS photo by TVDS)
