Ethanol From Sugar Cane – Caribbean Style

Along with the lack of market for island sugar cane is a local stigma attached to agricultural work. The colonial mindset still has an impact on these islands and working in fields is seen as too menial for most of the population. Even when the Antiguan government offered free land to anyone under 25 years of age to use as farmland, only a handful accepted the offer. However, there are people there who still know how to grow sugar cane and grow it well.

The time has come for a renewal of agriculture in the Caribbean islands. The people and stable governments of these islands may not even realize that the world is seeking a source of fuel that they are in a prime position to produce in great quantity. That source is ethanol from sugar cane.

Sugar cane is perfect for ethanol production since it will not negatively impact the food chain through the consumption of food crops as fuel for our technology. Already the concerns are growing in North America of the financial impact of using corn and other crops which are used to feed animals that are a source of meat. Other foods will be affected as sugar beets become a source of ethanol as well. Brazil is a prime example of how producing sugar cane for ethanol can supplement oil reserves to eliminate dependence on imported oil from unstable areas of the world.

The infrastructure is dormant on the islands but with a new awareness of the demand for this crop it could be resurrected. Ethanol production could reduce their dependency on tourism alone. A positive solution for the islands and a fuel hungry world.

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