The Environmental Court of San Salvador ruled yesterday that the sugar mill Ingenio La Magdalena be held responsible for environmental damages resulting from the massive molasses spill that took place on May 5, 2016. During the spill thousands of gallons of molasses, a byproduct of sugarcane processing, entered local waterways in the municipality of Chalchuapa, […]
El Salvador’s Burning Ban: A Step in the Right Direction for Sugarcane
Government institutes common-sense limits on burning, while industry motions toward 100% sustainability by 2020. El Salvador experienced its driest period in over 40 years this past summer. The drought caused major crop loss across Central America, and family farmers who depend on rain have been hit particularly hard. Rivers, lakes, and groundwater levels have also […]
Sugar and El Salvador’s Economic and Social Woes: Not Just a Tempest in Your Coffee Cup
Sugarcane production has more than doubled in El Salvador over the last several decades, especially in the eastern region surrounding the Bay of Jiquilisco. The department of Usulután, particularly in the Lower Lempa zone where our partners the Mangrove Association and La Coordinadora del Bajo Lempa are based, has experienced the greatest growth rates since […]
Social Responsibility in Sugarcane: Should Corporations or Government Lead the Charge?
Sugarcane production has more than doubled in El Salvador over the last several decades, especially in the eastern region surrounding the Bay of Jiquilisco. The department of Usulután, particularly in the Lower Lempa zone where our partners the Mangrove Association and La Coordinadora del Bajo Lempa are based, has experienced the greatest growth rates since […]