The Sugar Industry Authority (SIA) has launched a training institute aimed at boosting productivity to ensure the sustainability of the island’s sugar sector.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SIA, Rupert Steele, who unveiled the initiative recently, said that the establishment of the institute is a strategic response “aimed at addressing what we believe is the major source of most of the problems – the issue of low productivity.”
He noted that the sugar industry has faced persistent challenges over the years, and while measures have been undertaken to address the issues, they often targeted the symptoms rather than the root cause.
As such, he said that the training institute will equip employees, farmers and industry stakeholders with “the knowledge, competencies, and skills to harness productivity and sustainability throughout the industry”.
Steele noted that low productivity impacts the cost of production, which in turn, affects yield, competitiveness and the ability to market sugar and other products.
“If we address the productivity problem, then we would have solved a lot of problems,” he contended.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, in welcoming the initiative, said that enhancing productivity directly impacts profitability by reducing production costs, increasing yield, and improving the competitiveness of products in the market.
“If we address the productivity problem, then we would have solved a lot of problems,” Minister Green said.
Providing details about the training programme, Steele said it will employ a modular, blended approach, combining online and face-to-face learning.
“Most of the learning will be done online, both synchronously and asynchronously,” he shared.
This flexibility ensures that participants can access courses at their convenience, which is essential, given the demands of the crop season.
For practical topics, face-to-face sessions will be held during the out-of-crop period.
“We will also have workshops and seminars on key topics, featuring industry experts, former employees, and guest lecturers from Jamaica and abroad,” he noted.
The first module includes foundational courses such as sugarcane anatomy and physiology, crop protection, laboratory techniques, and raw sugar processes.
Steele highlighted the collaborative effort behind the institute’s curriculum, stating, “A steering committee was set up to extensively research similar institutes around the world.”
The pilot programme, conducted in March last year (2024) received overwhelming support.
Feedback from the pilot helped refine the courses, paving the way for the institute’s official launch.
The first training module got underway on January 27, following a week of orientation to participants with the institute’s online platform.
Modules will run for two weeks, with sessions held in the evenings to accommodate stakeholders’ schedules.
Steele said that the training “holds great promise for the future of Jamaica’s sugar industry.”
He noted that, with the establishment of the institute, Jamaica’s sugar industry is taking a bold step toward a sustainable and competitive future, driven by innovation and empowered stakeholders.
“We aim to become a premier, reputable institution revered nationally and internationally for excellence in training and research,” he said.
The CEO called for continued collaboration, emphasising that the success of the initiative relies on the collective expertise and input from all stakeholders, both within the industry and beyond.
General Manager of the Sugar Manufacturing Corporation of Jamaica (SMCJ), Michael Martin, conveyed his full support for the institute, highlighting its critical role in ensuring the long-term development and sustainability of the sugar industry.
“Sugar has always been the forerunner in agriculture in Jamaica,” he pointed out.
Martin acknowledged the importance of training as a key component in improving productivity, quality and aligning industry standards.
He said that the work of the institute will build on research already conducted by institutions such as the Sugar Industry Research Institute (SIRI), and noted the timeliness of the intervention as plans are being put in place to expand planting and build a new factory.
Martin affirmed the Sugar Manufacturing Corporation’s commitment to partnering with the SIA to contribute to the industry’s continued growth and sustainability.
The SIA is an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, with a mission to enforce the provisions of the Sugar Industry Control Act to ensure the viability of the industry.