UNITED Sugar Producers Federation president Manuel Lamata supported the decision to import sugar during the “gap” between the El Niño and the rainy season.
In a dzBB interview on Sunday, May 12, Lamata said El Niño created exceptionally dry conditions that affected sugar production.
He said the current season was something he had never seen before, and that he wasn’t sure that farmers could recover.
“If you look at crops, talagang maaawa ka. Talagang parang sunog eh. It is really dried up. Hindi ko alam kung makaka-recover pa kahit umulan… Really really bad,” Lamata added.
The situation may have delayed the production of sugar.
Nevertheless, he was sure that farmers would begin to replant once the rain arrived. But there would be a “gap” while waiting for the harvest, during which imports could enter the market.
“Kapag umulan pa sa mga susunod na linggo, umpisa na ng pagtatanim. Nakita ko sa ground na talagang kulang pangtawid… Tama ang [mungkahing mag-angkat ng] 185,000 to 200,000 metric tons ng asukal,” he said.
Meanwhile, according to Mav Gonzales’ “Sunday 24 Oras Weekend” report, sugar farmers urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to focus on providing irrigation equipment to counter the effects of the El Niño. (GMA Integrated News)
