Reports to Amandala this afternoon were that Corozal cane farmers were blocking the entrance to the Tower Hill processing factory run by Belize Sugar Industries (BSI), angry that they were being denied a chance to process their cane.
In February, Amandala detailed the troubles in the North over sugar cane processing and other problems at Tower Hill.
Now, we understand, the problems are over the quota of processing divided between farmers in Orange Walk and Corozal, belonging to the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association (BSCFA).
This morning, Corozal farmers blocked Tower Hill after learning that their brother cañeros in Orange Walk would have more of their cane accepted for processing daily based on the amount of unprocessed cane left in the fields.
On a quota of 4,200 tons per day, the farmers were being processed 50/50, but Orange Walk was to receive 53.1 % of daily processing time, and Corozal 46.9 %.
Tempers were soothed after a meeting with the Sugar Cane Processing Committee, who agreed to carry out a survey from March 8 – 22 to determine just how much cane is left to be processed, and divide quota time accordingly. Until then, the 50/50 split remains.
There is no word at press time as to whether this affects farmers under the umbrella of the United Cane Farmers Association (UCFA) or the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers’ Union (CSCPU).
The farmers have allowed deliveries to resume at Tower Hill as of this evening.