Factors affecting cane quality in Jamaica

The Jamaica Recoverable Cane Sugar (JRCS), a measure of cane quality, was employed as the dependent variable for regression analysis conducted to determine the factors influencing cane quality during the period 1993 to 1998 at three sugar estates in Jamaica namely Frome, Worthy Park and Appleton. An analysis of the effect of temperature, rainfall, age at harvest, and tonnes delivered revealed that temperature and rainfall one month before harvesting had the most significant influence on cane quality. At Frome, the variables analysed accounted for 67% of the variation. At Worthy Park and Appleton, two privately owned factories, rainfall and temperature were less important determinants of quality. This information can be used to improve the management of controllable factors affecting quality to optimise sugar yield and ultimately the economic viability of the sugar industry in Jamaica.