Africa-Press – Cape verde. The brandy producers on the island of Maio defend the extension of the additional deadline for the industrialization of sugar cane, justifying that they are experiencing difficulties in using all the raw material before the stipulated date, 31 May.
This concern was expressed by Martinho dos Reis, responsible for the company “Santinho e Nenezinha”, which over the last twenty years has been producing what is considered the best brandy on the island, “grogue de Figueira”, claiming that lately, with the problem of lack of rain, production decreases considerably.
He stressed, in an interview with Inforpress, that this year the harvest has been better than last year, underlining, however, that during production there was a failure in the sugarcane grinding machine, which caused them some delay, so asked both the IGAE and the authorities responsible for this sector, such as the City Council, to extend the deadline for the industrialization of sugar cane for another month.
Martinho dos Reis expects sensitivity from the responsible authorities
Martinho dos Reis made it known, on the other hand, that due to this situation, they still have a significant amount of sugar cane in their warehouses for making grogue, in addition to the raw material supplied by other farmers for production, which is why for which they expect a sensitivity on the part of the authorities with responsibility in this sector.
He also recalled that, in recent times, they have made large investments to improve sanitary conditions and beyond, meeting the requirements of the authorities, so now, they argue, it is the turn of the authorities to respond to their requests, in order to satisfy their needs. and fulfill their responsibilities.
Producers ask at least until November
Jerónimo Silva, also a farmer and producer of brandy in the agricultural perimeter of Tambarina and with long experience in this field, which he said he learned from his father when he was very young, also said that he would like that, both the IGAE and local and central authorities and even the island deputies to intervene, in order to increase the production date to at least one more month.
This producer informed that his colleagues still have some amount of cane and time available to carry out these works, in addition to responding to requests from other farmers.
In this regard, he defended that the date for the start of production could even be revised, which in his opinion could be November, which would allow them to have a more relaxed production and could meet the established deadline.
Brandy production has been difficult but demand has been “very good”
That producer confessed that in recent times it has been difficult to produce brandy, due to the problem of lack of water, since the island has received little rain, which has removed this possibility.
But he assured that this year the harvest was better and that, therefore, they are achieving some production, which he considered to be “reasonable”, and that if the production period is not increased, they will not be able to respond to demand.
With regard to the demand for brandy, Jerónimo Silva Ribeiro said that it has been very “good”, both in the local and national market, stressing that many emigrants are also requesting it for the summer, when they will be visiting the island. Therefore, he said he wanted to sell all of his product to recoup any losses suffered in previous years.
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