• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations (CONFED) has called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to implement concrete and long-term solutions to address what they called the worsening crisis in the sugar industry.
In a statement, CONFED urged sugarcane industry stakeholders, especially farmers, laborers, and mill workers, to unite in demanding lasting reforms beyond efforts to control the spread of the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI), which has severely affected sugarcane plantations.
The group emphasized the need for transparent and proactive governance, calling on the DA and the SRA to conduct regular consultations with industry stakeholders to formulate comprehensive measures that address the sector’s pressing concerns.
Among the major issues cited by CONFED are the increasing competition from imported sugar and sugar substitutes, rising production costs, low millgate prices, widespread RSSI infestations, the looming threat of a super El Niño expected later this year, and the growing loss of confidence among producers in the future of sugarcane farming.
Citing the latest Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) supply and demand report, CONFED said the sugar industry’s estimated losses have already exceeded P15 billion.
CONFED warned that the crisis extends beyond the impact of the RSSI infestation, saying the combination of economic and environmental challenges threatens the long-term viability of the sugar industry.
The organization called on the DA and the SRA to work closely with industry stakeholders in crafting sustainable policies that will help stabilize production, protect farmers’ livelihoods, and restore confidence in the sector.
CONFED also cautioned that failure to reverse the industry’s decline could have serious economic and social consequences.
It warned that the collapse of the sugar industry would not only affect individual farmers, but could also leave tens of thousands of workers without jobs, potentially increasing security concerns, and placing greater pressure on government social safety net programs.
The group reiterated that immediate, coordinated, and long-term interventions are necessary to prevent further losses and ensure the survival of one of the country’s key agricultural industries. | GPB
