The Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) is about to send out its last shipment of sugar to the world market for the 2006/2007 season, but an assessment by industry officials indicates that this is one of the worst production years in their memory. Although a record volume of cane was delivered at the factory, the poor quality was unprecedented.
BSI’s managing director, Jose Montalvo, told our newspaper that the tons cane per tons sugar (the tons of sugar cane required to produce a ton of sugar or TCTS) has never neared 11. Last year, it was 10.53. This season, however, it rose to an unprecedented 12.34.
Last year, over 111,000 tons of sugar were produced. This year, production has fallen to 97,254 tons, which Montalvo said should net export earnings of roughly US$55 million.
There were two main factors contributing to poor sugar cane quality: One was the unusually high amounts of rain last year which not only affected cane quality but made feeder roads sometimes impassable, delaying delivery of cane to the factory. The other was a heavy outbreak of the froghopper insect, which has been affecting the cane fields of Orange Walk and Corozal for several months now. The growth of the pest population was itself encouraged by an increase in climate humidity.
While there is nothing that can be done to curtail the rains, the industry can control the pest population. Towards this end, the Belize Sugar Industry Control Board yesterday approved a $250,000 budget.
The sugarcane froghopper (scientific name Aeneolamia postica) is a common pest affecting the industry, and it is normally responsible for the loss of 5% of production each year, but last season, a population explosion of the insect caused double the usual losses.
The froghopper insect becomes a problem for sugar cane when it exists in very high numbers, which escalate especially in hot, humid conditions. The insect sucks the leaf and dries up the plant, eventually destroying it.
Marcus Osorio, manager for field operations/extension services for the Sugar Industry Control Board, told Amandala that the severe infestation of the froghopper insect was first observed last August, and again in February this year. It resulted in the loss of 10% of production the 2006/2007 season. Estimated losses have been tagged at 100,000 tons of cane, capable of producing $9 million worth of sugar cane.
Osorio said that the fields of some farmers were entirely wiped out because of the insect and had to be completely replanted.
BSI produces about 50,000 tons of cane a season. Montalvo confirmed that BSI’s fields were also negatively affected during the last season.
Generally, cane fields across the north have to be monitored constantly to ensure that the insects are kept in check. The problem is diagnosed by determining how many insects are caught in a trap. If a trap catches more than 60 insects in the first day after it is set, there is cause for concern. If a trap catches more than 100 in the first day, it means the infestation is serious. Osorio reported that traps set in Orange Walk had caught 200 to 500 insects, indicating a very severe infestation.
At first, the pest affected three key areas in Orange Walk – San Estevan, San Lazaro and Progresso. Two weeks ago, however, a similar explosion of the froghopper insect was observed in Corozal, in cane fields in Caledonia, Patchakan, Xaibe, Chunox, and the Corozal Farms, which lies between Buena Vista and Libertad.
Osorio told us that they have been treating fields in Corozal since April, and now with the new funds approved for controlling the infestation, they will step up their vigilance.
Cane farmers play a key role in the control of the froghopper. According to Osorio, they are trained to monitor the insect, which is key to the entire control program. Once an infestation is detected, then an insecticide called Regent is used.
Authorities at the Sugar Control Board hope to switch from this chemical control technique to a more environmental friendly biological control method. They intend to import a fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae, which retards the growth of the insect population.
Belize is drawing expertise and materials for the program from places like Mexico and Guatemala, who have had several years of experience in fighting the infestation.
Osorio said that with continued monitoring and control measures in place, production should improve for the coming crop season.
Cane farmers are being encouraged to take a proactive approach in keeping their industry healthy. The Sugar Cane Control Board and the Cane Farmers Association are working together to increase awareness among cane farmers. Starting this weekend, they are hosting a series of field days at the various association branches. The aims are to teach farmers how to monitor the pest and to reach at least 90%coverage in the pest control program.
Funding for the program comes from the Sugar Industry Development Fund, which is money set aside from the proceeds of sugar cane exports. Previously, $130,000 was allocated to the froghopper control program, and Osorio said that he is grateful to the Sugar Industry Control Board for increasing the budget for the much-needed intervention.
Montalvo said that even though the intervention program to curb the froghopper population is a good measure, the Government also needs to urgently address the poor state of feeder roads so that there can be speedier delivery of cane, which would, in turn, result in better yields of sugar per ton of cane.
(Farmers who would like more in-formation on controlling the froghopper insect can contact Mr. Osorio at 602-8305 or the office of the Sugar Cane Control Board at 322-3141.)