DON CARLOS, Bukidnon — Sugarcane planters and agricultural producers in Bukidnon are bracing for a sharp rise in production costs as global oil prices skyrocket due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Industry leaders warn that the imminent fuel price hike—which could see diesel jump by as much as ₱20 per liter next week—will create a ripple effect across all stages of sugar production:
- Field Operations: Higher costs for land preparation, planting, and fertilizer application.
- Logistics: Increased expenses for hauling harvested cane to the mills.
- Milling: Rising costs for processing raw sugarcane into sugar.
- Existing Pressures: Farmers are already struggling with the high prices of fertilizers and labor, making this new oil surge a significant threat to their profit margins.
Manuel Antonio Zubiri, president of the Mindanao Sustainable Sugarcane Agricultural Development Inc. (MINFED), called on the national government to rethink how the Sugar Industry Development Fund is distributed.
- The Gap: Mindanao currently produces nearly 30% of the country’s sugar but receives only about 20% of the development fund allocation.
- The Plea: Zubiri argues that the allocation should match Mindanao’s production levels to provide better support for farmers during this crisis.
Zubiri emphasized that the survival of the local sugar industry is tied to national interests. “Food security is national security,” he stated, noting that a more resilient local production system is necessary to protect the country from global geopolitical shocks. He added that Bukidnon still has vast potential for expansion if provided with adequate government infrastructure and financial support.