For the Post Harvest Conference 2015, held on July 24th 2015, chairmen of each association were invited to deliver a speech to cane farmers and Sugar Industry stakeholders present at the event. Ezequiel Cansino, Chairman of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association emphasized during his speech that the BSCFA continues to be a solid and strong association:
“We have mentioned only some factors and activities which demonstrate, despite the division of the BSCFA intro three associations, that we continue to strengthen and maintain ourselves as a united solid family...Our association continues representing the majority of cane farmers – 4,142 of 5,442 registered farmers. The BSCFA also continues to be certified under Fair Trade and will continue to receive Fair Trade premiums through the sugar sold by BSI under the Fair Trade logo.”
Ezequiel Cansino also made emphasis on the importance of the Sugar Industry. He stated that with events like the Post Harvest Conference, “the entire nation of Belize can appreciate the Sugar Industry’s contribution towards the development of Belize and towards the creation of opportunities, employment, revenue and foreign exchange”.
Cansino also stated that his Association is committed to the development and implementation of the Strategic Development Plan. Along with other Sugar Industry Stakeholders, they are fulfilling this commitment by actively participating in all the Committees and Working Groups that have been established. BSCFA also fully supports the necessity for the Sugar Industry to compete globally through increased productivity, reduction of costs throughout the cane production supply chain, production and marketing of sugar.
Cansino ended his speech by stating that the BSCFA is conscious of the difficult times that the industry will be facing in the near future. However, he believes that if the industry is united and works together, it can overcome any obstacle and assure its competitiveness, sustainability and viability.