Frome poised for growth

Mark Titus, Gleaner Bureau

Western Bureau:Despite churning out a mere 34,000 tonnes of sugar in the just concluded 2011-12 crop year - its lowest output ever, there is much optimism that, under its current Chinese ownership, better times are on the horizon for the historic Frome sugar factory, in Westmoreland.

"Give them time man," said veteran cane farmer Lucius Jackson. "The Chinese have good intentions and the operation of the factory is good for the economy of the communities in this area."

The Frome factory, which played a pivotal role in Jamaica's early economic, political and trade union history, was taken over by the Chinese firm Complant last year. It is being operated by Complant's subsidiary, the Pan Caribbean Sugar Company, which has invested several million dollars into retrofitting the factory.

"Many of the districts in these parts know nothing else besides sugar," added Jackson. "We need to have Frome opened and performing well ... that is what we all want and I believe it is going to happen."

A journey from Green Island, in Hanover; through the hills of Dias going down to Grange Hill, in Westmoreland; and on to the Frome sugar factory, leaves very little doubt about the strategic importance of the sugar to the region.

$35 million to the economy

Based on studies of the impact of sugar on the communities around the Frome Sugar Estate, it is estimated that some $35 million per week goes into the economy of communities like Grange Hill, Savanna-la-Mar, Bull Savannah, Trollo, Kendal, Grange, Townhead, Sterling, Banbury and Delphland.

The factory employs nearly 2,000 persons during the season, a similar number to those working on the private properties of some 1,900 farmers. Another 45 to 50,000 people are believed to be indirectly employed, through economic activities spawned by the factory.

Despite the low production last year, the company employed numerous workers in the off season to increase their acreage in cane and to assist in the continued refurbishing work.

"The residents are happy because what they want is work," said 53-year-old Frome resident Glennis McKenzie. "If this continues, it will be a good thing and we will have a reason to smile."

Francis He, the CEO for the Pan Caribbean Sugar Company, told The Gleaner in a recent interview that they will be offering additional incentives to farmers with a view to getting them to grow more cane.

"Because we don't have enough lands, we will provide cheaper fertiliser and herbicide, and provide a lower rate for harvesting, reaping and transportation," said He. "In three years, the total output of cane will be 700,000 tonnes."