JAMAICA – Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green is encouraging local farmers to return to sugarcane production amid positive growth signals in the sector. The developments include a USD 1million investment by Pan Caribbean Sugar Company in the mechanisation of the Frome Sugar Factory ahead of the start of the new harvesting season.

In addition, a new company has expressed interest in establishing sugar operations in Jamaica, the Minister indicated. Minister Green, who was speaking during a tour of the Frome factory in Westmoreland, said that farmers and manufacturers are currently experiencing the highest sugar prices in decades, making the sector increasingly profitable. As such, he is optimistic about the industry’s future resurgence.

“I am now saying to farmers, invest in farming and go back into sugar-cane production because (Pan Caribbean) has raised their efficiency, they have looked at the price of cane and now it is profitable,” he noted. Pan Caribbean has acquired new agricultural and harvesting equipment to modernise operations at the Frome factory. The investment is part of a broader strategy to ensure the sustainability and resilience of sugar.

Minister Green noted that the expenditure follows an agreement with the Ministry, which provided support to farmers to transport sugar cane to the Frome factory. “We would have now spoken to [Pan Caribbean] about providing support directly to the farmers in terms of inputs, but more importantly, helping them with the mechanised harvesters they now have so they can become more efficient,” he pointed out. “So, they are encouraging more farmers to repurpose their field, get back out there, and more than that, they are willing to provide the support,” he added.

He noted that some local farmers are already showing renewed interest in sugar-cane cultivation with requests for leased lands to expand production. These heightened activities signal positive developments in the sector, Minister Green said. More than 2,500 hectares of sugarcane are ready for harvesting this season, although production has been impacted by Hurricane Beryl and rains associated with Tropical Storm Rafael.

Pan Caribbean’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Zudui Zhang, acknowledged the weather-related challenges but noted that the company is determined to move forward. He underscored that the company is focused on improving production ratios with the new equipment and has indicated that positive results could lead to additional investments. (Guardian.co.tt)

SOUTH KOREA – Thousands of South Koreans have continued to gather for rival protests in Seoul, as investigators prepare another attempt to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol over his short-lived martial law decree amid warnings against potential bloodshed.

Protesters both for and against Yoon gathered in sub-zero conditions along major roads in the centre of the country’s capital on Saturday, either demanding his arrest or calling for his impeachment to be declared invalid. Yoon has been resisting arrest in a standoff between his guards and investigators last week, after his failed December 3 power grab plunged South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades.

On Friday, Park Chong-jun, Yoon’s chief of security, resigned from his post after being investigated for blocking the embattled president’s arrest. Park warned that any further efforts to detain the ex-leader must avoid violence. He told reporters that the current attempt to arrest Yoon was wrong and that “there should not be any physical clash or bloodshed under any circumstances”. On Saturday, Park was again placed under questioning for blocking Yoon’s arrest.

The country has bristled with tension for weeks after Yoon directed soldiers to storm parliament, where they unsuccessfully tried to prevent politicians from voting down martial law. Since the failed martial law attempt, the parliament has impeached Yoon, and he has been suspended while awaiting a final decision from the constitutional court about his removal. In the meantime, prosecutors carried out a separate investigation and had secured a court order for Yoon’s arrest and detention, which the presidential security defied. The arrest warrant expired on Monday.

Kim Seong-hun has taken over from Park as chief of Yoon’s security. He is expected to lead efforts to prevent the execution of a second arrest warrant. According to news reports, Yoon’s guards have reinforced his Seoul compound with barbed-wire installations and bus barricades. The CIO said it will “prepare thoroughly” for its second attempt to arrest Yoon and warned that anyone obstructing them could be detained.

The National Office of Investigation, a police unit, has also sent a note to high-ranking police officials in Seoul requesting they prepare to mobilise 1,000 investigators for the new attempt, Yonhap news agency reported. If Yoon is taken into custody, he would become the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested. (Aljazeera)