By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Leaders of various sugar groups in the country gathered to devise strategies and mechanisms in a significant move towards fostering unity within the sugar industry.
The collective effort comes in response to the government’s approval of direct sugar purchases from farmers at a premium price.
Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) head Pablo Luis Azcona hailed the gathering as a pivotal event, stating the industry stakeholders have convened for the first time in approximately eight years.
Azcona expressed optimism as they hope it will be the beginning of a unified industry that openly communicates and supports each other.
He stressed the importance of unity in finding solutions to improve the conditions of sugar farmers, the crucial link in the sugar supply chain.
“This is a sign that the industry is united in finding a solution to improve the plight of the sugar farmer, who, in reality, is the most important link in the sugar supply chain,” Azcona said.
“Without the farmer, the mills have nothing to grind, the traders have nothing to trade and the consumers and industries will have no sugar for their needs,” he added.
Azcona emphasized the historical nature of bringing sugar industry leaders to the same table after a prolonged hiatus.
He remains optimistic that collaborative efforts among industry stakeholders will pave the way for positive growth in the sector.
Acknowledging the commitment of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., Azcona extended gratitude for their support and trust, particularly towards assisting sugar farmers.
The Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the SRA and the Philippine International Trading Corporation, hosted a meeting on Friday, January 19, which aims to explore avenues for aiding farmers by directly purchasing sugar at a premium price, responding to the decline in sugar prices since the start of the milling season.
Representatives from various federations, including the United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED), the Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations Inc. (CONFED), the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP), the Luzon Federation of Sugar Producers Inc. (Luzonfed), the Panay Federation of Sugarcane Farmers (PANAYFED), the Philippine Sugar Millers Association, the Philippine Association of Sugar Refiners, as well as sugar farmers and traders actively participated in formulating the mechanics for government involvement in sugar purchases.
Discussions centered around measures to enhance productivity and profitability, ensure stability in sugar supply, achieve better retail prices, and consider sugar farmers as both producer and consumer./DGB, WDJ