Is the sugar industry in Negros Oriental prepared for bleak times ahead?
The forthcoming declaration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region as a Free Trade Area by 2015 has gotten a lot of sugar planters worried about tax-free competition from more efficient sugar mills in other countries.
Sugar planters, millers and landowners from Bais, Tanjay and Manjuyod gathered to discuss the “Basic Information Session for Market Approach in doing Business in Free Trade Areas” (DBFTA) at the Osmena Park in Tanjay City last Thursday. The forum was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc.
Asst. Trade & Industry Secretary Ramon Kabigting told the forum participants that Negros Oriental is in a position to become the food basket of the Philippines.
Kabigting cited figures from the Department of Agrarian Reform that the land profile of the Province consists of less than 340,000 hectares of agricultural land. Of this number, only 25 percent is planted to sugar. 38 percent is planted to coconuts, 19 percent corn, 12 percent minor crops and six percent rice.
He proposed a program to supplement the sugar industry by diversifying to other crops, poultry and livestock.
This proposal, however, did not sit well with the sugar planters, who expressed fears that they would be unable to compete with other countries or even with local producers once they put their money into something other than their long-trusted sugar.
One farmer, Mikee Yulo, said, they will continue to plant sugarcane as long as the prices remain high and the price of land remains low.
Other government agencies also offered to help to the sugar farmers should they want to try other ventures.
The Department of Science and Technology Senior Science Research Specialist Gilbert Arbon suggested their Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program to the people to provide comprehensive service and facilities that would improve competitiveness and productivity of their business.
The DAR also presented an overview of production in the past years to keep the producers updated on the trends in their businesses.
Carlota Claveron of the DTI, also stressed on the need to look toward expanding the sugar planters’ options in the event that they are harmed from the eventual implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area.
“The protection of small scale and large scale players is important in the success of the program and the trade relationship with other countries,” Claveron said. (Ma. Joanna Rieza Pareja, SU Masscom intern)
