Barbados Moves to Revive Sugar Industry as Disease and Drought Threaten Yields

Barbados’ sugar industry is exploring year-round electricity generation for the national grid using bagasse, king grass and high-fibre cane, in a move aimed at making the sector more sustainable and profitable. BSIL chairman Mark Sealy said farmers and the government are also focused on food security and rotating land into food crops, while dry weather is expected to hurt next year’s cane crop.

The Government will open a tissue culture laboratory with a dedicated sugarcane breeding section in less than two weeks, Agriculture Minister Dr Shantal Munro-Knight said. She announced the move at a sugarcane breeding workshop, saying it shows support for the industry and a push to improve research and crop understanding.

Barbados’ sugar industry is declining, but Research Director Andrew Stoute says better management and a clear strategy could help revive it. Speaking at a Caribbean sugar workshop in Christ Church, he urged the country to focus on higher-value sugarcane products and improve local varieties so farming remains profitable and the industry viable.