Despite losses of $1.69 billion in Louisiana agriculture and forestry from the statewide drought, only portions of Iberia Parish are affected and as farmers strive to overcome it, industry continues to move into the region.

Sugarcane profits in Iberia Parish dropped by 30% because of the drought affecting much of the region, according to local farmer Ronnie Gonsoulin.

This year, Louisiana produced 2 million tons of sugar, a quarter of the total U.S. sugar production.

New Iberia has 55,000 acres of sugarcane fields, and, according to Gonsoulin, we lost roughly $500 an acre due to the drought. That accounts for over $27 million in losses throughout the entire state.

Iberia Parish President M. Larry Richard, said the drought only affected some farmers in Iberia Parish, but those affected saw an estimated loss of 5-10%. Because Sugarcane production is the second largest industry in the parish, the parish is constantly working with the sugar industry to do everything they can to support everything that they need.

“This is the one industry group that is constant. It’s not an industry group that fluctuates a lot up or down when it comes to revenue, so it’s one of the industries we can truly depend on here in Iberia Parish,” Richard said.

The drought impacted the Eastern side of the Parish and extended North and West throughout the Parish. Gonsoulin said many farmers might start relying on an irrigation system, something our rainfall typically makes unnecessary. These systems will raise operation costs for farmers, but may ensure a steady yield if yearly droughts become commonplace.

“This is my livelihood, we live and die by the weather. In my lifetime, this is the driest it’s ever been,” Gonsoulin said.

Richard said there are no active solar projects around the parish save for the First Solar Production plant, which is not only paying for the land, but also to clear and transport the sugarcane already there.

As for the First Solar production facility, alongside the Bioinnovation lab and Delta Biofuels, hundreds of new jobs are coming to New Iberia. To ensure these workers stay in Iberia Parish and spend their money here, housing development is essential, According to Richard. Unfortunately, that land must come from somewhere, which could have an effect on sugarcane production around New Iberia.

“I can’t say it will be where someone is currently farming sugarcane, because people have land, and it’s up to them whether they want to sell property or not. They may decide they want to invest on their own property,” Richard said.

Richard wants investors to know, Iberia Parish is open for business.

“We are looking to work with people who are interested in building subdivisions and things of that nature, because we not only want to have the jobs in Iberia Parish, we want to retain as many of those people as we can,” Richard concluded.