Sugar Company of Jamaica plans production return to Clarendon, targets Gluten free flour production and new flour mill

 

 

Sugar Company of Jamaica (SCJ) Holdings Limited which is engaged in divesting and re-purposing sugar lands is planning to lease an estimated 725 acres of land for the production of gluten-free flour in Clarendon.

Stating that the project targets food security, the company explains in the new 2025 to 2026 Public Bodies report that it will also set aside an additional 20 acres for lease to enable the construction of a flour mill.

It will also lease lands for sugar production and additional acreage for a new sugar refinery in the parish. The management company is also considering plans for bamboo.

The SCJ was given responsibility in July 2009 to complete the divestment of the sugar assets of the Government of Jamaica (GOJ).

An agreement dated August 15, 2011, finalized the divestment of all six government sugar businesses. Having completed the divestment of the sugar companies, the SCJH is now responsible for post divestment obligations which involve fulfilling the contractual obligations of the GOJ as set out in various sales and purchase agreements.

Other major responsibilities include the management of lands located in several sugar-dependent communities, relocation of displaced sugar workers, data archiving, social welfare services, and the monitoring of new investors in the implementation of the business plans.

In an effort to transition former sugar lands into productive activities, the gluten free flour project is being targeted.

Other initiatives to be pursued during the 2025/26 financial year, also targeted at the broader agricultural sector include, in collaboration with private investors, the SCJH will facilitate the reestablishment of sugar manufacturing in South Clarendon.

This will see the SCJH leasing over 12,000 acres of land for the cultivation of sugar cane and the construction of a new sugar processing plant/refinery.

SCJH also states that it aims to lease approximately 8,896 acres of land in Westmoreland for the cultivation of bamboo to be utilized for the production of high-end paper products.

Management stated, “ The SCJH will continue to take proactive measures to ensure that all lands under its control are being fully utilized for productive purposes. In this regard, SCJH will continue to closely monitor lease contracts to ensure compliance with their terms, as well as identifying and recovering leased lands that are not actively engaged in production.”

In collaboration with other GOJ stakeholders, the SCJH also aims continue to promote and facilitate community regularization in sugar ‘dependent’ communities. In 2024/25 the SCJH processed and distributed 315 land titles to residents of the Clifton, St Catherine Community. Titles will be distributed to the remaining residents of Clifton during 2025/26.

SCJH is projecting a net profit of $449.31 million (2024/25: $277.04 million). A year end staff complement of 71 is projected (2024/25: 65).

Photograph: pintrest.com

Caribbean Money Daily

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