5. los trabajos de [itomejoramiento iniciados en 1952 dieron los primeros frutos doce aos despus (1964) cuandose propag la Mcx 52-29 en el Estado de Veracruz. En 1965 la Mcx 53-142 y Mex 54-81 en los ingenios de Jaliscoy Nayarit. luego la Mex 52-17 y ZMex en los Fstados OCMore1os y Puebla y as comenzamos d tener la confianzade los caeros y los industriales azucareros.

6. Anualmente hemos importado alrededor de 40 variedades extranjeras con dos finalidades: para enriquecer elBanco de Gcrmoplasma (ahora tie ne 2,000) y segundo, en busca de alguna para introducir al cultivo comercral enlov ingen os.

I::nres: unen, el Programa de Hibridacin, proyectado en 1949 ha tenido un xito completo y los productores caeroshan sido los ms beneficiados. f:n Id actualidad secultivan 750000 ha. de caa de las cuales el 60% = 450,000 ha.estn sembradas con variedades mexicanas.

Referencias

'1. FORO, BACON & DAVID, Inc. 1952. la Industria Azucarera de Mxico. Banco de Mxico, s.a. tomo I y 11674p.

2. CARClA, E. 1973. Modificaciones al Sistema de Clasificacin Climtica de Koppen. lnst, Geografa UNAM, Jd.Ed. Mxico.

3. GONZI EZ,.G.A. 1949 Investigacin y Experimentacin de la Caa de Azar en Mxico. Banco de Mxico, S.A.55 p.

4. GONZlEZ, G.A.I964. la Hibridacin de la Calla de Azcar en Mxico. Antecedentes e Instructivo. lnst. Mej.Prod. Azcar Mxico 38 p. Anexos.

5. INSTITUTO PARAEL MEJORAMIENTO DE LA PROOUCClN DEAZCAR. 1975. Veinticinco Aos de Investiga-cin Caera en Mxico. IMPA, libro No. 8, 303 p.

6. MORRlll, CA. 1996. las Variedades Mejoradas Mexicanas de Caa de Azcar. Revista Ingenio CNIM. Mxico.15:5-7

7. OJEDA, J.P.Y LAISEQUlllA. 1961. Cinco Aos de labores Genricas en ellTAV 5'. Conf. ITAV,Cosamaloapan.Ver. 279-306 p.

Bittersweet Memories from a XVI PilgrimATAM"sHistorical Version

lllusion, studying, working and group spirit integrate the fixed asset ofAsociacin de Tcnicos Azucareros de Mxico, AC.

By: Sergio Villa Godoy

"Science is actually a rebellion ofman against nature, an effortto subtract himselffrom the blindforces that oppress him.,,1

"Whenever a scientific theory becomes fixed, it retards progressriWelcome to Mexico, members of ISSCT [Intemational Society of Sugar CaneTechnologists]! On behalf of my co-workers in (ATAM) [Association of Sugar CaneTechnicians of Mexico, who have commissioned me to write down these pages, I state youwe are honored and pleased with your visit. Your presence and involvement in this 17thIntemational ISSCT Congress will enrich our sugar cane accrual and will stimulate humanand professional relationships among the participants.

This is propitious occasion to remember who we are as ATAM. To tum back ourlook towards the past and succinctly describe our development and its avatars.

In our country there are, the same as in other parts of the world, corporate groupssuch as unions, peasant organizations, business groupings with different characteristics andspecialties, such as the industrial or trade chambers with their etceteras, as well as thegroups that are focused on mutualism. In all the cases we have mentioned, the coreobjective prevailing is to represent their affiliates and to defend the interests of the group inquestion.

We, members of ATAM, are encouraged by a different spirit, which identifies withthat of ISSCT. We are certainly entitled, like the other corporate groups mentioned above,to become a guild that defends the best interests of our members, but this is not the case.The purpose is to promote knowledge among the professional sugar caners, by sharing ourexperience. Consequently, the companies for whom we collaborate receive a benefit. Anysugar mills that do understand it so, support ATAM with their periodical economiccontributions and grant the officials, technicians and employees with the required facilitiesto take part in the events organized by ATAM.

This agricultural industry's suppliers play a capital importance roleo As theirpurpose is to sell, its presence goes always together with its best offers. Its presentations areoriented towards highlighting the attributes of their equipment, inputs or spare parts. Thus,feedback takes place between suppliers' offers on one hand and the papers or comments ofusers on the other. Innovations and critique play their role through openness.

Having said what we are, let's tum our attention to the road we have walked. I alsorefer to the basic knowledge and core concepts, which have been shared for more than

I Gustavo Le Bon; Aforismos del Tiempo Presente; Classic. Edition, Mexico, Federal District, 1947; Page139.2 lb. Page 142.

seven decades now by several sugar cane technologists, which to a man's life representmany years, but which for reflection's sake are very little time.

Some one thousand and six hundred years ago, someone asked St Augustine toexplain what time is. The philosopher responded: "If nobody asks, 1 know; if 1 wish toexplain ir to who is asking me to, 1 do not know". From them to present, included thecomplex theories of Einstein and Hawking, numberless hypothesis and explanationsregarding time have been proposed. The thesis of the aforementioned two people, thatrather than that are, in the opinion of many, mere assumptions, do coincide in consideringtime belongs to a group of relative concepts; the same if used as a notion or set of ideasworthy ofthe deepest abstraction, as if as a simple method of counting the baby's age.

At my age, what can be rescued from time is in the past. Therefore, it is a pleasureto me to find refuge in my evocation and enhance them with documents read, which aregenerally more important and convincing than my memory. In writing this historicalversion, I live the emotion of remembering a discontinuous succession of "my memorablemoments" that also correspond to ATAM's "time". This paragraph is a good opportunityfor me to state an advanced apology to my comrade members of Asociacin de TcnicosAzucareros de Mxico, due to any omissions and mistakes contained by these memoirs,

It was back in year 1970, maybe the 71. 1 reported to a phone call from JorgeSanchez Anaya 3, who kept me speechless for a long time, listening to his passionatepresentation regarding the skill of sugar technicians in our country; their inventiveness;their capacity to improvise; their commitment to the service of a so complex anddemanding activity. He invited me to the first National Sugar Cane Technician Convention.The purpose was to make an aspiration, deserving the highest of considerations, to cometrue for the second time. 1will hereafter refer to the also praiseworthy first try.

Jorge's oral enthusiasm was complemented with a diligent activity. With no furthersupport than his own resources and his particular contact with the people in the sugar mills,the trio integrated by Rodolfo Perdomo Calatayud, Antonio Rivera", and that of JorgeSanchez Anaya, undertook the task of organizing an encounter to share knowledge andexperience, using the moment to promote a good relationship between the colleagues andtheir families. The three of them distributed the task and contributed their emotion and time.The one who could contribute more did so with no bargaining.

This was my first contact with the spirit prevailing among sugar cane producers,who work with illusion, studying and with solidarity towards the company they collaboratewith and towards their colleagues. Most of the professionals live, in parallel with theirsugar cane calling, an authentic patriotism that is to be praised. And 1 say patriotismbecause they serve their country and their community with their every day activities; withtheir discoveries and innovations; and also with a synthesis of ther noble aspirations.

ATAM had not yet been bom; it was, let's put it that way, in a gestation periodo Inthe context of the world sugar producer, there are backgrounds that inspired ourpredecessors. We point out, as an example, the very ISSCT, which was organized;

3 Jorge Snchez Anaya: Was mechanical superintendent of several sugar milis, among them, Motzorongo andSan Miguelito. As a businessman he founded Industrial y Comercial Atlas, SA. Due to his prestige among theCordovan community, Cordoba's City Council gave his name to one ofits streets.4 Rodolfo Perdomo Calatayud: Son of Rodolfo Perdomo Gonzlez and father of Rodolfo Perdomo Bueno; allof them members of the legendary sugar cane producers family that at that time were the owners of theProvidencia, San Jos de Abajo and El Carmen Sugar Mills.!/ Antonio Rivera L.: A Professional of nationalprestige, expert in sugar cane cultivation. Field superintendent ofthe El Potrero Sugar Mill,

according tot he inforrnation we have, by the members of the Experimental Station of theHawaiian Sugar Planters Association in year 1924.

There are filiations records of some Mexicans in ISSCT from the decade of thethirties. Don Manuel C. Alcntara was the Vice-president of the Section representingMexico to the 5th Congress held in 1935 and during the following two congresses, herepeated the same position.

The first Mexican attempt to organize an Association was promoted by techniciansspecialized in factory operation. In September 17th, 1946, before a Notary Public, theAsociacin de Tcnicos de la Industria Azucarera de la Repblica Mexicana, AC. wasorganized. The president appointed was Juan Ortega Blanc. Several directors are recorded,but 1will only mention here those who remained for some time. There appear: Joel Prez*,Francisco Haro Cajiga (Legal Advisor), Elio Espinosa*, Luis Cisneros Inchustegui,Ignacio Cubas*>, Luis Orozco (Camarena)*, Salvador Valdez*> and Joaqun GuerraCano">". 1 was lucky enough that some of them shared part of their experience with me,such as with the Cubans Valdez y Guerra Cano, as well as Luis Orozco Camarena and hisbrothers, Enrique and Miguel.

Among the objectives of that first trial, there is one that literally reads: "defend andrespect the specialized items in the Sugar Cane lndustry with its collaboration branches,chemistry, mechanics, electricity, agricultura! and administrative''. The trait of aunionizing trend grouping was evident.

The aforementioned Executive Board was not lucky. Two or three days after it wasinstalled, the recently assigned President, Juan Ortega Blanc, died.

ON the 23rd day of the same month of September 1946, with a difference of onlysix days, also before a Notary Public, another Executive Board was installed with severalchanges. They appointed Luis Orozco Camarena as President; they kept Joel Prez*,Joaqun Guerra Cano">", Luis Cisneros and Francisco Haro actives and they incorporatedIgnacio Gutirrez, Rubn Andrade; Luis Oliva, Fernando Prez and Alberto Vlez.

1 think that Luis Orozco Camarena, Joel Prez and Joaqun Guerra Cano,maintained a great dignity attitude. The three people mentioned above worked for differentsugar milis, and had almost no opportunity to make proselytism with success. The sugarmilis lacked telephone communication then. But they would not abandono 1 think theirefforts were heroic and that to be fair, they have the unquestionable merit of having beenthe pioneers.

Almost thirteen years later, on April 23, 1957, under the presidency ofLuis Orozco,the Incorporation Agreement Deed was reformed. The Corporate Purpose is "to procurethe technical, cultural, physical, social and economic improvement of the Sugar Canelndustry technicians. The creation of a Technological Library wa proposed, as well as abroadcasting body: They bind themselves to install a consulting office and for the first timestate delegates were appointed. It is evident that the group tried to make the people at thesugar milis to become interested with the cultural services. They also propose a mutualInsurance, with a contribution of fifty pesos per persono Regino Velzquez joined the groupand later, in 1974, he was the given the commission of registering before a Notary,ATAM's Incorporation Agreement.

5 The * sign indicates I was lucky to meet him. The sign > indicates he is frorn a Cuban origino That I know,none ofthe aforementioned is still living.61b.

Though due to the aforementioned reasons, the tenacity of Luis Orozco andcompany would not progress, the seed they planted germinated upon time. This is why,when we speak of the first President of ATAM, we mentioned Luis Orozco Camarena. Dueto his tenacity and passion, he does deserve it.

In 1948, by the initiative of Don Antonio Caraza Campos", the first experimentalfields were created and later, the Institute for Sugar Production Improvement, (IMPASpanish acronym), under the direction of Engineer Alfonso Gonzlez Gallardo, who asDon Manuel Alcntara, took part as Vice-president of the Section representing Mexico withISSCT, during three consecutive congresses.

1have admired the dedication of several sugar cane cultivation specialists. They arealso experts in interpreting Nature. Many of them treat the sugar cane as if it were a baby.By the years 1962 or 63, 1 met doctors Alfonso Gonzlez Gallardo and Silverio FloresCceres at the same time; together we walked the sugar cane fields of the Santa Rosalasugar mill, in the zone of la Chontalpa, State of Tabasco. 1 enjoyed the walk. Don Alfonso,at the center of a plantation of sugar canes that were three meters tall, put on his gloves tocaress the cane leaves, of Cuban origin, named "PPQK"; he put the leaves against the lightand then, taking his time, he gave taught us about it. It is also worthy to remember Dr.Federico Snchez Navarrete, who, in reference to canutes from the cane, for seeds, used tosay: "we have to accommodate them deep in the soft soil furrow, as if we were putting ababy in his cradle ".

These people in love with the sweet grain, as is also Silverio Flores, are the onesthat set the standard. It was absolutely necessary to share knowledge. Therefore, sugar miliowners became interested and, with tne representation of Don Antonio Caraza, gave theirsupport to Gonzlez Gallardo to become a pioneer in sugar cane experimentation andextension. Alfonso Gonzlez Gallardo himself and his collaborators, such as Silverio FloresCceres, Miguel Abarca Ruano, Bonifacio Ortiz Villanueva and several others 1 cannotremember now, fed back their knowledge to the staff in charge of the sugar cane zones inthe milis, because diversity is the sign that identifies them.

Our sugar cane field is, like in other tropical zones in general, the spinal chord ofthe sugar agricultural industry. But indeed, there are several conditions here that make usdifferent from any other relevant sugar cane country in the world.

We cultivate sugar cane from the seal level up to almost 1,500 meters in altitude.There are sugar milis whose private extensions go from 400 to 1,450 meters.

We have a diverse range of land qualities; from heavy clays or expansive clays, asthey are also called, which with any rain, almost with the simple dew, seem like chewinggum and which have little permeability and become dry with maddening slowness; up tothe very permeable lands that after several days of storm, with jast a whi le of receiving thesun, they tum back to normal, but which rapidly lose nitrogen. There are also softer andnobler "crust soils"; soils with a high stone content, as well as others with large extension,which you can walk for kilometers without finding any stone at all. There are steep zoneswith serpentine roads and uneven lands, as well as others in open plains, where you canbarely see a ramp.

7 Antonio Caraza Campos. A passionate businessman producer ofsugar and coffee. Founder of LaConcepcin Mili in the State ofVeracruz. He was President ofthe Sugar Cane Chamber.

There are rain precipitations going from 450 millimeters of annual average, whichduring the dry years may become only 270; up to the zones with 2,600 millimeters inaverage, which may also receive up to three and a half meters.

As to irrigation, we also have a large diversity. From regions with no irrigationwhatsoever, which depend only on the seasonal rains, passing through zone with reliefirrigation; half irrigation; discretional irrigation; rolling irrigation; from deep wells, riverpumping, mixed conditions or mixtures of all kinds of irrigation, including drip irrigation.There are sugar cane zones depending on a meticulous labor, almost craftsmanship in itscare, conduction and water use. There is a little of everything. Zones with dry winds thatdehydrate the sugar cane; other humid winds that bend it to the floor; and yet othersinclined to freezing.

Our country's social organization in general is a special issue to be considered. Irefer to the ejido. This issue would suffice to identify us as different. The sugar caneminifundia in our country, consequence of a history we are not going to analyze or judgehere, reduces our capacity to maneuver for applying cost-reducing systems and/or systemsthat facilitate diversifying actions, such as the ones sugar cane agro industry is consideringin other countries.

With the aforementioned I am making a tacit acknowledgment of our professionalsin the sugar cane field as well as of our grain producers. Sugar cane varieties, transportationequipment; farming instruments; fertilization and even the "machetes" [large knives] forcutting the sugar cane: we have a diversity of them. Knowledge shared among techniciansrepresents a singular richness. But it was until year 1972, when the field and factorytechnicians got together for the same purpose.

The event organized in the City of Crdoba, State of Veracruz in year 1972, by theaforementioned Jorge Snchez Anaya, Rodolfo Perdomo and Antonio Rivera, was asuccess. They named it the I National Convention of Sugar Cane Technicians in Mexico:The people attending the convention acknowledged the effort made by the organizing trio.Almost the whole of the attendees exercised their profession in the various areas of thefactory. During the Closure, it was agreed to make a second similar event, for the followingyear.

I do not know who are more passionate of their work; the field or the factorytechnicians. I had the opportunity of living in the sugar mills, from the time in which thefield staff boasted their efficiency, because the mill tandem was not able to assimilate theraw material there was at the courtyard; and on the contrary, the machine supervisor wouldbrag because the field would not provide enough. In the operation of the Sugar Mili itself,the mechanic would try to show his efficiency off, when the tandem had to stop but thedeposits were filled with processing material; and on the contrary, .the person in charge ofproduction would boast because he had his deposits empty and the equipment stopped.Lack of harmony prevailed. The fact that several technicians started to gather together inorder to exchange experiences, has been one of the most important factors for ones and theothers to share with no selfishness, the fine details of their profession. This way it becameengraved in everybody's awareness that the feasibility of this complex activity depends, asin music, of the quality of the orchestra, which is harmony.

To continue speaking about the Sugar Industry with those passionate of thisspecialty is fascinating, because in a sugar factory, harmony must be present everywhere.There should be harmony between the thermal and the dynamic and both of them with thesolid and liquid volumes, clean or dirty, usable or disposable. Physics, Chemistry, Thermal

and Electricity, they all make a wonderful team, provided they play in harmony; otherwise,money is lost as if it were thrown into the sea and the risks of accident disruption aremultiplied.

We have to consider that the capacity to produce electric power in a MilI producingtwo hundred thousand tons of sugar per crop, could supply the lighting to a fifteen thousandpeople town, ea. A mill like that, receives and crushes about twelve thousand canes everyday, from which it rescues, manages and uses, in fiber and in the medulla, more than onethousand five hundred tons; around four hundred and five hundred tons of honey; and aboutfour hundred of cachaza [distilled alcoholic beverage]. It must pack more than onethousand three hundred ton s of sugar; and the aspiration exists there to use for irrigation,the almost eight thousand tons of sugar rescued; which, if unable to achieve it, either thetotal volume or part of it, as applicable, would have to be channeled, with no pollutants,into the river channels.

There must be some balance between the fiber volumes rescued from the milI andthe consumption of fuel for the boilers; between the steam produced and the sum of theone required to produce electric power and the one demanded by the mill turbines; betweenthe steam escaping from the turbines and the one required for the process equipment;between the electricity produced and the general demando Any lack of harmony costsmoney. It was not in vain that the ancient people baptized the sugar factories as "ingenios"[ingeniousness] .

The mosaic represented by OUT sugar cane field, notably effects the capacity ofequipment. It is not the same to crush a cane with ten percent fiber, than one with 12; thesecond one requires an additional installed capacity in the mills. As it is not the same toprocess the juice from a cane irrigated with hard waters than one with soft waters, in thefirst ofthe cases, scale reduces the level ofuse ofthe evaporation equipment. All the topicsare interesting.

The Cordovan initiative was fortunate. The topics mentioned and more, areassimilating into the work, but we clarify our vision and our questions in the events inwhich we exchange experiences.

The II Convention was also carried out in the City of Cordoba, from August 23-26,1972. It was organized by the same promoters as the first one. This time they looked forand got the support of the Institute for Sugar Production Improvement (IMPA), which wasa smart move. Antonio Rivera, unlike Perdomo and Snchez Anaya, was a specialist in thefield area, and he was really happy. With IMPA's support, there was also a good technicianattendance in matters related with the sugar cane and agriculture in general.

From this meeting, there has always been the attendance of people specialized in thefield and the factory. Success was unquestionable. Additionally, the aforementionedorganizers promoted democratic elections. Attendees elected Juan Daz Montalvo g asPresident and Isaac Bazn Barlia9. as Vice-president.

Politics intruded among the sugar technicians for the first time. Daz Montalvoresigned only a few days after the aforementioned Meeting. His decision was a

8 Juan Daz Montalvo: Legendary self-taught mechanic, worker originally from the union Section of the SanCristobal Sugar Mill. As Superintendent of Machinery in the Sugar Mill, he leads San Cristobal up to the firstworld place in terms of the amount of sugar cane milled per crop. When the sugar mill became a staterroperty, he was dismissed due to political reasons. He was engaged in counseling activities.

Isaac Bazn Barlia: Chemical Engineer. He professionally worked as a sugar cane technician in thelaboratories ofTala and El Potrero sugar cane mills. He afterwards became a supplier ofthe Sugar Industry.

consequence of the appointment of Francisco Cano Escalante at the front of the NationalSugar Industry Commission, who was the person with whom he had some problems at theSan Cristobal sugar milI; he wanted to avoid inheriting certain disagreements to the group of technicians, which he could not achieve.

Mr. Cano wanted for himselfthe merit ofthe just performed Convention. He left forHistory the Preface he dictated in Memory of the event that under his instructions, wasedited by IMPA. lt starts as follows: "The National Sugar Industry Commission, in linewith provisions se! out by the President of the Republic, Lic. Luis Echeverra lvarez, as toincrease the productivity index of factors influencing the performance of sugar industry inMexico, has specified to the Institute for Sugar Cane Production Improvement (IMPA). .. 10"and continues without mentioning the name of the true organizers.

lt was Daz Montalvo himself who proposed Isaac Bazn to assume the Presidency,which was rejected; but due to the urgency of the case, he accepted to operate as Vice-president with the functions of a President. The truth is that Bazan rescued the youngAssociation. He did so by opposing the purposes of the sugar cane authorities, though hewas an acknowledged important supplier for the sugar milIs that were managed by theFederal Government. He knew the risks and he accepted the retaliation. Seven yearselapsed for his commercial operations with the Govemment retumed to normal.

Bazan, with the support of several of his friends and the colIaboration of ReginoVelzquez, hired as Administrator, organized the III Convention, which was heId during': ~ inonth of September, 1973 in Guadalajara City. For the first time the Official Sectorinaugurated the event; represented by Engineer Rodolfo Gonzlez Macas. Success wasunquestionable. A great exhibition was mounted by the suppliers in the Holiday Inn Hotel,which was almost new. The agricultural equipment was displayed in gardens and outdoorpatios. Also for the first time the owners of the sugar mills attended and they took partpresenting their papers, as was the case of Aarn Senz H.

They were times of an open democracy, because the participants would give trueimportance to the Assembly prior to the Closing event. Circumstances were, on their tum,favorable to controversies.

Among the important agreements made, there is in the first place, the approval forchanging the Association's name; and thus, ATAM, the Asociacin de TcnicosAzucareros de Mxico, ACII was born.

Then there are the formal and quite deserved acknowledgments fro Jorge SnchezAnaya, Rodolfo Perdomo and Antonio Rivera, who should always be remembered due totheir transcendental initiatives.

They also agreed to appoint the State of Morelos for the IV Convention; and one ofthe utmost importance: To invite the administrative areas of the sugar producers asmembers of ATAM.

Isaac Bazn resigned to the Presidency in office, because he deemed it was notappropriate that such position was held by a supplier. The meeting rejected his resignationin the middle of a series of speeches. FinalIy, after Bazan accepted to continue as Vice-president, the Meeting agreed to present candidates. From the three proposals made by the

lO Memory II National Convention of Sugar Technicians in Mexico, National Sugar Industry Commission;Edited by the Department of Publishing, IMPA; Mexico 1973; Page 9.11 See the Memories ofthe IV Convention, 1973, Pages 359 - 365.

attendees and by open voting, the assigned President was Engineer Alfonso Vzquez+",They were also elected by voting, Alfonso L. Fors (Secretary), Alfonso Miaja Calvo(Treasurer), Nicols Goroztieta (Legal Counselor) and as members, Ral Romo, RubnToledano, Alfonso Mancillas and Fernando BaosI3. And this is the way what we can callthe Constituent Meeting was over, and its management may be called the members of thefirst Executive Board of ATAM. But really, the first President is Alfonso Vzquez.

The corresponding Memories, first edited by ATAM, in hardcover and with amagnificent presentation, also for the first time, the names of all the attendees are included.It was in this Convention that the knowledge exchange among the sugar producersconsolidated. In March 24, 1974, with the appearance of the members of the ExecutiveBoard in force, the Incorporation Agreement of ATAM was registered before a NotaryPublico The representative before the Notary was Regino Vazquez Rodriguez, Delegate byappointment of the Meeting and the first administrative employee of the aforementionedATAM.

Having integrated the administrative areas has enriched us as to the knowledge ofthe activity in its context. This is why we dare to assure that harmony must be in all of thesteps of the sugar companies; from the financial planning for sowing the sugar cane, up tothe recovery of the economic resources by selling the products. The topic is not easilydigested by those who are new in this matter.

Sugar is a rapidly degrading product with/or with high storage costs. It is deemed ata world level a strategic product, because should there be any sugar shortage, this provokespopular disruption, as happened in France prior to the Revolution; and if there is anysurplus without a planned market, then important losses can occur; but when there is anon-controlled excess, that is, with no national sugar policies, the market becomes unstable.

Currently, in the technician meetings, all types of topics are addressed. Suzarmarket issues are analyzed. Co-generation expectations are discussed, jointly with eX!1'j'[,;energetic; sweeteners competing with sugar; alcohol s and non-crystallizing syrups. Thelabor topics are also a matter of experience and criteria exchange. We know that in addiuonto its strategic nature, the sugar agro-industrial production maintains a high poiitical,economic and social content; its economic flow is, especially in Mexico, regional parexcellence.

But it is one thing to speak about an activity with political content, and somethingquite different to suffer the assaults of politicians.

For the IV Convention which was held in Cuernavaca in 1974, the participation ofsuppliers was spectacular. In their condition of sponsors of this event, they surpassed theexpectations of organizers and attendees. 1 assume that the attendance of a nurtured group,

12 Alfonso Vzquez. Mechanical Engineer with studies in the USA. His father was the owner of a Sugar Millin Yucatn. In his very long life he held many charges. In 1973 he was the General Superintendent of theFactory in the Atencingo Sugar MilI. From such appointment and up to his death, he collaborated in one wayor the other with AT AM.13 All of the aforementioned were andlor continue to be dear friends of mine. Still alive are Alfonso Fors,Nicols Goroztieta are Alfonso Mancillas. Fors was the Minister of Agriculture in Cuba before the time ofFidel Castro; in Miami he collaborated with Diego Surez; and in Mxico with the sugar milis o"San Pedroand Tamazula; he lives in Guadalajara. Miaja, Romo, Mancillas, Toledano and Baos, were factorytechnicians of high prestige. Mancillas is presently the Manager of the San Miguelito Sugar MilI. Goroztietais a Public Accountant and he occupied several important positions; he lives in the State of Mexico and iscurrently retired. I do not know what has happened with Baos.

of industrials owners of the sugar milIs, previously known, motivated the generosity of theaforementioned suppliers.

These successful events also motivated the Official Sector. During the plenarysession where the Meeting gets together, Politics tried to interfere again, with a coup d'tatagainst the Management. It was not achieved, because the democratic discipline of thetechnicians participating avoided it, since they voted for the continuation of the ExecutiveBoard in office, but this was another warning. Under the same system of proposals and freevoting, Tampico was elected fOI-the V Convention, which was heId in August 1975, alsowith huge success ..

The participation of sponsors was excellent, but there were less attendees. Thus, theorganizers learned that for the future, the location of the event had to be considered inregards of the sugar producing zones and Mexico City, in order to propose alternatives tothe people voting. And this is why at present, this decision is made by a small group,authorized thereto.

The elections of the V Convention in Tampico, were also democratic, but they wereorganized under a new system of complete groups, secret vote and carried out before aNotary Publico Silverio Flores was elected for the Presidency. It was an important step, forhe concealed the interests of technicians and those of the sugar authorities. The winninggroup was also integrated by Alfonso Garca Espinoza (Vice-president), Ral Romo(Secretary), Antonio Rivera (Treasurer), Rubn Ayub (Counselor) and as members, VctorPerea, Fernando Ruiz Tern, Francisco Cisneros and Jos Abedrop. This Executive Boardwas integrated by people from different disciplines, and it also inc\uded the suppliers Pereay Ruiz. Also democratically, the Port of AcapuJco was elected for the following year.

I would like to make some special mention of Victor Pera and Fernando RuizTern. Both of them, from that first invitation and up to now, have not stopped taking partin ATAM's activities, with support and enthusiasm. They are almost institutionalIy, thecoordinators of events related with their guild, but furthermore, they have colIaboratedforever in the specialized task of personally greeting the distinguished attendees.

Conventions VI and VII were held in Acapulco, with as much normality as aparadise such as that alIows. The VII Convention was inaugurated, for the first time, by thenew holder of the National Sugar Industry Commission, Gilberto Flores Muoz. Protocolspeeches have an openly political tone. Bad signa\.

I find no record of the elections of the next Executive Board. I suppose this was adirect decision of the State. I think so, due to the political and economic support that thenew ATAM President received, Engineer Alfonso Miaja Calvo, from the second year ofhismanagement and up to the end ofthe six-year termo

Miaja was accompanied during his initial management, by some of the qualifiedtechnicians, such as the salient Silverio Flores, Ignacio Gurza and Sergio Martnez Sandiel;by the suppliers Ruiz Tern and Vctor Pera; and by politicians that saw ATAM assomething temporary. The VII Conventions was held in Guadalajara in September, 1978,and it had an excelIence leve\. Organization, sponsors, a presence of industrial s as neverbefore, quality speeches, numerous audience. During his inaugural speech, Gilberto FloresMuoz, Director of the sugar cane activity, direct head of more than 50% of the production,ordered the technicians ofthe official sugar milis to go to work in their trenches. It was thissimple to reduce success to less than one half. From a promissory event, politicstransformed it, as by magic, in a fiasco. The night after the c\osing event, the treasury hadno resources for paying the Hotel services. Fernando Ruiz Tern solved the problem by

taking charge of the bill. Fortunately, ten or twelve days afterwards, Flores Muoz was nolonger the head ofthe sugar producers' guild.

Since 1979, ATAM lived a new experience. It had never managed so mucho moneyor received so much support. Official and private resources flew; the Sugar Cane Union andcane organizations also supported, also without apparent restrictions. There is no doubtthat the economic excess and studying are not compatible. Miaja reorganized his ExecutiveBoard. He included Carlos Ruiz Coutio, Carlos Villagmez, Jos Enrquez Poy and MarioLzzeri; the four of them serious professionals. But political consent and abundance aredevastating. Miaja stayed, without calling to elections, up to the end of the regime. The lastConvention he organized with all the supports, was he Id in Mazatln on September, 1981.By the end of 1983, the Public Sector had withdrawn its support; Alfonso Miaja was sickand ATAM had stopped operating. Almost all sugar producers thought it was dead forever.

Due to the initiative of Don Pablo Machado Llosas, President of the Sugar Chamber,supported by Eduardo Mac Gregor Beltrn, Director of Azcar, SA, the decision was madeof reinstating ATAM. This task was commended to Ignacio Gurza, Victor Pera, RuizTern, Alfonso Garca Espinoza, Manuel Enrquez Poy and the undersigned. Proselytismwas made by carrying out information Round Tables in all the sugar producing areas of thecountry. Finally, after having amended the bylaws to avoid any political appointments inthe future, we ruled the no-reelection of the President and the election of a Vice-president,who shall assume the Presidency two years later. This has worked well.

The only election of the direct President has been the one in which the newRegulations were implemented. IN a special event held in Mexico City in 1986, EngineerManuel Enrquez Poy was elected President and as the first elected Vice-president, with anassured future towards the Presidency, Engineer Federico Hasbach. From that timehereafter, we have worked under stability. There was a major economic slump, which wasovercome due to the intervention of Don Aaron Senz Couret, with the sugar millsaffiliated to the Sugar Chamber.

Enrquez Poy is a technician of notorious activity; he likes to study, is a Universityprofessor since almost thirty years ago, and he has strengthened the intemationalrelationships of AT AM. I do not wish to leave out some faithful associates andcollaborators of the modem times that have supported or continue to support the Presidentin charge: Mario Garca Estrada, Manuel Vaca, Humberto Astorga, Patricia Arreola,Claudia Martnez, Alberto Aguilar. Some Vice-presidents that have been elected afterEngineer Hasbach, in order, are: Engineer Vctor Pera Cobos, Lic. Guillermo OrtizMartnez, the undersigned Sergio Villa Godoy, Don Laureano Prez Bonilla, Lic. JorgeMartnez Licona, who, while in the office of President, was in charge of requesting theISSCT to perform the XXVII Congress on Mexican lands. Next to last is Engineer ManuelEnrquez Poy, the current President in office, and last will be Architect Alberto ObregnSenz, who will assume ATAM's Presidency during the coming year 2011.

Since 1954, when I started to collaborate with the sugar milis, I have never stoppedleaming. My teachers have been all kinds of people. It is important to listen to he whoknows more than you, in any topic. This is the way to live the adventure of discovering thenumberless variety of intelligences with which you enter in contact in the sugar mills.There are from the biological to the mechanical; from the visual to the financial; from theones standing out in polemics and the ones standing out in procedures; the ones withculinary inspiration, both meat-eaters and vegetarians; the sportive and the highly

developed in the difficult art of mythomania. It is impossible to live in the sugar millswithout finding in someone the intelligence of a poet.

1 may assure that it has been very pleasant to deal with sugar producers, with whom1 have shared my professional life for 56 years. Almost all of those who taught me morehave already gone. Most of my contemporaries aren't here either. But there are so manyyoungsters who contribute every day their illusion, studies, their work and group spirit.They are Mexico's sugar producers today.

Mxico, DF, February 2010.sergiovi lIagodoy@yahoo.com.mx

Desde nuestros ancestros la energacreadora nos da rostro y corazn que con

amor y conciencia compartimos al mundo

TL O rntctMo ~:

Viajes culturales-vivenciales por el hermoso estado de Vera cruz Recorridos culturales por Oaxaca Viajes que profundizan en la Esencia Tolteca-Mexica Comunidades indigenas en Chiapas Haciendas henequeras en Yucatn Recorridos de turismo rural-cultural por la Ruta Maya Caminatas meditativas por las rutas sagradas de ciudad de MxicoViajes de relajacion entre manglares de la selva veracruzana Talleres vivenciales de meditacion tolteca y filosofia nahuatl combinado cQ.IIrituales depurificacin fisica y espiritualTalleres de cantos mgkos

Ven y concenos!

Agridulces Memorias de un Peregrino XVIVersin Histrica de la AIAM

La ilusin, el estudio, el trabajo y el espritu de grupo,integran el activo fijo de la Asociacin de Tcnicos Azucareros de Mxico A. C.

Por: Sergio Villa Godoy

"La ciencia es en realidad una rebelda del hombre contra la naturaleza, unesfuerzo para substraerse a las fuerzas ciegas que lo oprimen. ,,1"Desde que una teora cientfica llega a la fijeza, retarda todo progreso. ,,2

[Bienvenidos a Mxico, miembros de la (ISSCT) Sociedad Internacional de TecnlogosAzucareros! En nombre de mis compaeros de la (ATAM) Asociacin de TcnicosAzucareros de Mxico, que me han encomendado redactar estas pginas, les expreso quenos sentimos honrados y contentos por su visita. Su presencia e intervencin en este XXVIICongreso Internacional de la ISSCT, enriquecer nuestro acervo azucarero y estimular lasrelaciones humanas y profesionales entre los participantes.

Es propicia la ocasin para recordar quienes somos como ATAM. Volver la miradaal pasado y describir de manera sucinta nuestro desarrollo con sus avatares.

En nuestro pas existen, al igual que en otras partes del mundo, grupos corporativoscomo sindicatos, organizaciones campesinas, agrupaciones empresariales de diversascaractersticas y especialidades como las cmaras industriales o de comercio con susetcteras, as como tambin grupos orientados al mutualismo. En todos los casos que hemosmencionado, priva como objetivo esencial, representar a sus afiliados y defender losintereses del grupo en cuestin.

A los miembros de la ATAM nos alienta un espritu diferente, que se identifica conel de la ISSCT. Ciertamente tenemos derecho, al igual que los grupos corporativosmencionados, a constituimos como gremio defensor de los intereses de nuestros afiliados,pero no es el caso. El propsito es fomentar el conocimiento entre los azucareros deprofesin, compartiendo nuestra experiencia. Consecuentemente, las empresas para las quecolaboramos reciben un beneficio. Los ingenios que lo entienden as, apoyan a la ATAMcon peridicas aportaciones econmicas y otorgan a funcionarios, tcnicos y empleados, lasfacilidades necesarias para su participacin en los eventos que organiza la propia ATAM.

Los proveedores de esta agro industria juegan un papel de"capital importancia. Comosu objetivo es vender, su presencia se acompaa de sus mejores ofertas. Sus presentacionesson orientadas a destacar los atributos de sus equipos, insumos o refacciones. Se genera asuna retroalimentacin entre las ofertas de los proveedores por una parte y las ponencias uobservaciones de los usuarios por la otra. Las innovaciones y las crticas juegan su papelcon toda apertura.

Dicho lo que somos, giremos la atencin al camino andado. Me referir tambin aconocimientos primordiales y a conceptos fundamentales, que han sido compartidos pordiversos azucareros durante ms de siete dcadas, que para la vida de un hombrerepresentan muchos aos, pero que para la reflexin, son poco tiempo.

1 Gustavo Le Bon; Aforismos del Tiempo Presente; Ed. Clsica; Mxico, DF, 1947; Pg. 139.2 lb. Pg. 142.

Hace mil seiscientos aos, alguien pidi a San Agustn que explicara lo que es eltiempo. El filsofo respondi: "Si nadie me lo pregunta, lo s; si quiero explicarlo a quienme lo pide, no lo s". De entonces para ac, incluidas las complejas teoras de Einstein yHawking, se han planteado innumerables hiptesis y explicaciones respecto al tiempo. Lastesis de los dos mencionados, que ms que eso son, en la opinin de muchos, merassuposiciones, coinciden al considerar que el tiempo pertenece al grupo de los conceptosrelativos; lo mismo se utiliza como nocin o conjunto de ideas dignas de la ms profundaabstraccin, que como sencillo mtodo para contabilizar la edad de un beb.

A mis aos, lo rescatable del tiempo est en el pasado. Por lo tanto, me es gratorefugiarme en mis evocaciones y enriquecerlas con documentos de consulta, los quegeneralmente son ms importantes y contundentes que mi memoria. Al escribir esta versinhistrica, vivo la emocin de recordar la sucesin discontinua de "mis momentosmemorables" coincidentes con "el tiempo" de la ATAM. Es propicio este prrafo, paraexpresar mis disculpas anticipadas a mis compaeros de la Asociacin de TcnicosAzucareros de Mxico, por las omisiones y los errores que contengan estas memorias.

Corra el ao 1970 o tal vez el 71. Me report a la llamada de Jorge SnchezAnaya ', quin me dej callado por muy largo rato, escuchando su apasionada exposicinsobre la habilidad de los tcnicos azucareros de nuestro pas; de su inventiva; de sucapacidad de improvisacin; de su entrega al servicio de una actividad tan compleja yexigente. Me invit a la Primera Convencin Nacional de Tcnicos Azucareros. Se tratabade hacer realidad, por segunda vez, una aspiracin merecedora de la ms alta consideracin.Ya me referir ms adelante al tambin encomiable primer intento.

El entusiasmo verbal de Jorge se complement con una diligente actividad. Sin msapoyo que sus propios recursos y su particular contacto con el personal de los ingenios, eltro compuesto por Rodolfo Perdomo Calatayud, Antonio Rivera", y el propio JorgeSnchez Anaya, emprendieron la tarea de organizar un encuentro para compartirconocimientos y experiencias, aprovechando el momento para fomentar la buena relacinentre colegas y sus familias. Los tres se distribuyeron la tarea y aportaron su emocin y sutiempo. El que pudo aportar ms, lo hizo sin regateos.

As fue mi primer contacto con el espritu que prevalece entre los azucareros quetrabajan con ilusin, estudio y solidaridad para con la empresa con la que colaboran y paracon sus compaeros. La mayora son profesionales que viven, al mismo tiempo que suvocacin azucarera, un patriotismo autntico, encomiable. Digo patriotismo, porque sirvena su pas y a su comunidad con sus actividades cotidianas; con sus descubrimientos einnovaciones; y tambin con la sntesis de sus nobles aspiraciones.

No haba nacido la ATAM; estaba, vemoslo as, en perodo de gestacin. En elcontexto azucarero mundial, existen anteceuentes que inspiraron a nuestros antecesores.Sealamos como ejemplo a la propia (ISSCT), que fue constituida, segn la informacinque tenemos, por los miembros de la Estacin Experimental de la Hawaiian Sugar PlantersAssociation en el ao 1924.

3 Jorge Snchez Anaya: Fue Superintendente mecnico de diversos ingenios; entre ellos Motzorongo y SanMiguelito. Como empresario fund Industrial y Comercial Atlas, SA. Por su prestigio ante la comunidadcordobesa, el Cabildo de la Ciudad de Crdoba, bautiz con su nombre, a una de sus calles.4 Rodolfo Perdomo Calatayud: Hijo de Rodolfo Perdomo Gonzlez y padre de Rodolfo Perdomo Bueno;miembros todos ellos de legendaria familia azucarera que en aquellos aos eran propietarios de los ingeniosProvidencia, San Jos de Abajo y El Carmen.!/ Antonio Rivera L.: Profesional de prestigio nacional, expertoen el cultivo de la caa. Superintendente de campo del Ingenio El Potrero.

Hay registros de filiacin de mexicanos en la ISSCT desde la dcada de los treinta.Don Manuel C. Alcntara fue Vice Presidente de la Seccin representativa de Mxico paraefectos del V Congreso celebrado en 1935 y durante los dos siguientes congresos repiti enel mismo cargo.

El primer intento mexicano para la organizacin de una Asociacin, fue promovidopor tcnicos especializados en la operacin de las fbricas. El 17 de septiembre de 1946, seconstituy ante Notario, la Asociacin de Tcnicos de la Industria Azucarera de laRepblica Mexicana, AC. Se design Presidente a Juan Ortega Blanc. Se registraron variosdirectivos, pero hago mencin solamente de los que persistieron durante algn tiempo.Constan: Joel Prez*, Francisco Haro Cajiga (Asesor Jurdico), Elio Espinosa*, LuisCisneros Inchustegui, Ignacio Cubas*>, Luis Orozco (Carnareua)", 3al.-Gi" '.T~l~,,?*> '!Joaqun Guerra Cano">". Tuve la suerte de que algunos de ellos me compartieran parte desu experiencia, como fue el caso de los cubanos Valdez y Guerra Cano, as como de LuisOrozco Camarena y sus hermanos Enrique y Miguel.

Dentro de los objetivos de este primer intento, hay uno que a la letra dice: "defendery representar a los elementos especializados en la Industria Azucarera en sus ramas deelaboracin, qumica, mecnica, electricidad, agrcola y administrativa ". Es evidente elrasgo propio de una agrupacin con tendencias al sindicalismo.

La mencionada Mesa Directiva tuvo mala suerte. Dos o tres das despus deinstalada, falleci el recin designado Presidente, Juan Ortega Blanc.

El 23 del mismo mes de septiembre de 1946, con solo seis das de diferencia, seinstal, tambin ante Notario, una nueva Mesa Directiva con diversos cambios. Se designPresidente a Luis Orozco Camarena; se mantuvieron activos Joel Prez*, Joaqun GuerraCano">", Luis Cisneros y Francisco Haro y se incorporaron Ignacio Gutirrez, RubnAndrade; Luis Oliva, Fernando Prez y Alberto Vlez.

Considero que Luis Orozco Camarena, Joel Prez y Joaqun Guerra Cano,mantuvieron una actitud de gran dignidad. Los tres mencionados laboraban en diferentesingenios, sin casi oportunidades para realizar un proselitismo con xito. Los ingenioscarecan de comunicacin telefnica. Ellos no cejaron. Pienso que su esfuerzo fue heroico yque con justicia les pertenece el indiscutible mrito de haber sido los pioneros.

Casi trece aos despus, el 23 de abril de 1957, bajo la presidencia del propio LuisOrozco, se reforma la Escritura Constitutiva. El nuevo Objeto Social es "procurar elmejoramiento tcnico, cultural, fisico, social y econmico de los tcnicos de la IndustriaAzucarera ". Se propone la creacin de una Biblioteca Tecnolgica, as como un rgano dedifusin: Se obligan a instalar una oficina consultiva y por primera vez se nombrandelegados estatales. Es evidente que el grupo trata de interesar al personal de los ingenioscon los servicios culturales. Proponen adems un Seguro de mutuo, con aportaciones decincuenta pesos por cabeza. Se incorpora Regino Velzquez, quin aos despus, en 1974,fue comisionado para registrar ante Notario, la Escritura Constitutiva de la ATAM.

Aunque por las razones ya dichas, la tenacidad de Luis Orozco y compaa, noprosper, la semilla que sembraron germin con el tiempo. Por este motivo, cuando sehabla del primer Presidente de la AT AM, se menciona a Luis Orozco Camarena. Por sutenacidad y por su pasin, se lo merece.

5 El signo * indica que tuve la suerte de conocerlo. El signo> indica que es de origen cubano. Que yo sepa, yano vive ninguno de los sealados.6 lb.

En 1948, por iniciativa de Don Antonio Caraza Campos", se crearon en Mxico losprimeros campos experimentales y luego el (IMPA) Instituto para el Mejoramiento de laProduccin de Azcar, bajo la direccin del Ing. Alfonso Gonzlez Gallardo, quin al igualque Don Manuel Alcntara, participo como Vice Presidente de la Seccin representativa deMxico en la ISSCT, durante tres congresos consecutivos.

He admirado la dedicacin de diversos especialistas en el cultivo de la caa. Sonadems expertos en la interpretacin de la Naturaleza. Muchos de ellos tratan a la caacomo si fuera un beb. Por los aos 1962 o 63, conoc al mismo tiempo a los doctoresAlfonso Gonzlez Gallardo y Silverio Flores Cceres; recorrimos juntos los camposcaeros del Ingenio Santa Rosala, en la zona de la Chontalpa del Estado de Tabasco. Gocla caminata. Don Alfonso, en el centro de una plantacin con caas de ms de tres metrosde altura, se puso los guantes para acariciar las hojas de una caa de origen cubanodenominada "PPQK"; puso las hojas contra la luz y luego, pausadamente, dict su ctedraal respecto. Tambin es digno recordar al Dr. Federico Snchez Navarrete, quinrefirindose a los canutos de la caa para semilla, deca: "hay que acomodarlos en el fondode un surco de tierra suave, como si acostamos a un nio en su cuna".

Estos enamorados de la dulce gramnea, como tambin lo es Silverio Flores, son losque marcaron la pauta. Era indispensable compartir conocimientos. Por ello el inters de lospropietarios de los ingenios azucareros, que con la representacin de Don Antonio Caraza,apoyaron a Gonzlez Gallardo para que fuera el pionero en la experimentacin y elextensionismo caero. El propio Alfonso Gonzlez Gallardo y sus colaboradores, comoSilverio Flores Cceres, Miguel Abarca Ruano, Bonifacio Ortiz Villanueva y varios msque no tengo en la memoria, retroalimentaron sus conocimientos con el personal encargadode las zonas caeras de los ingenios, porque la diversidad es el signo que las identifica.

Nuestro campo caero es, al igual que en las zonas tropicales en general, la columnavertebral de la agroindustria azucarera. Pero efectivamente, aqu hay condiciones diversasque nos hacen diferentes a cualesquier otro pas de relevancia caera en el mundo.

Cultivamos caa desde el nivel del mar hasta casi los 1,500 metros de altitud. Hayingenios cuya zona particular va, de los 400 a los 1,450 metros.

Contamos con una diversa gama de calidades de tierra; desde los barros pesados oarcillas expansivas como tambin les llaman, que con cualquier lluvia, casi con el roco,parecen de chicle, que son de escasa permeabilidad y secan con desesperante lentitud; hastalas muy permeables tierras que despus de un Norte de varios das, con apenas un rato desol, vuelven a la normalidad, pero que en contra tienen la rapidez con la que pierden elnitrgeno. Hay tambin los ms suaves y nobles migajones; los suelos de altsimocontenido de piedra, as como otras tierras de grandes extensiones, en las que podemoscaminar kilmetros sin encontrar piedra alguna. Existen zonas .escarpadas de caminossinuosos y accidentados terrenos, as como otras de planicies abiertas, en las que apenas sepercibe un desnivel.

Hay precipitaciones pluviales que van, desde los 450 milmetros de promedio anual,que bien pueden ser nicamente 270 en sus aos secos; hasta las zonas con 2,600milmetros de promedio, en donde tambin pueden recibir hasta unos tres metros y medio.

En cuanto a la irrigacin, tambin contamos con una gran diversidad. Desderegiones de ninguna clase de riego, que dependen de solo el temporal de lluvias, pasando

7 Antonio Caraza Campos. Apasionado empresario productor de azcar y de caf. Fundador del Ingenio LaConcepcin del Estado de Veracruz. Fue Presidente de la Cmara Azucarera.

por zonas con riego de alivio; de medio riego; de riego a discrecin; de riegos rodados; depozo profundo; de bombeo de ro; de condiciones mixtas o con mezclas de todo tipo,incluido el riego por goteo. Hay zonas caeras que dependen de una minuciosa labor, detipo casi artesanal en el cuidado, la conduccin y el aprovechamiento del agua. Hay detodo. Zonas de vientos secos que deshidratan la caa; otras de vientos hmedos que ladoblan al piso; y algunas que son proclives a las heladas.

La organizacin social de nuestro campo en general, es un rubro especial aconsiderar. Me refiero al ejido. Bastara este rubro para identificamos como distintos. Elminifundio caero de nuestro pas, consecuencia de una historia que no vamos a analizar nia juzgar aqu, reduce nuestra capacidad de maniobra para la aplicacin de sistemas queabatan costos y/o faciliten acciones diversificadoras como las que se estn considerando enla agroindustria azucarera de otros pases.

Con lo dicho estoy haciendo un tcito reconocimiento a nuestros profesionales delcampo caero y tambin a nuestros productores de la gramnea. Las variedades de caa; losequipos de transporte; los instrumentos de labranza; la fertilizacin; y hasta los machetespara el corte de la caa, los tenemos en diversidad. El conocimiento compartido entre lostcnicos, representa una riqueza singular. Pero fue hasta el ao 1972, cuando los tcnicosdel campo y de la fbrica, se reunieron para el mismo fin.

El evento organizado en la Ciudad de Crdoba del Estado de Veracruz en el ao1971, por los ya mencionados Jorge Snchez Anaya, Rodolfo Perdomo y Antonio Rivera,fue un xito. Lo denominaron I Convencin Nacional de Tcnicos Azucareros de Mxico:Los convencionistas reconocieron el esfuerzo aportado por el tro organizador. La casitotalidad de los asistentes ejercan su profesin en las diversas reas de la fbrica. Durantela Clausura, se acord la realizacin de un segundo evento similar, para el ao siguiente.

No se quienes son ms apasionados de su trabajo; los tcnicos de campo o los de lafbrica. Me toc vivir en los ingenios, desde la poca en la que el personal de campo hacaalarde de su eficiencia, porque el tndem de molinos no lograba asimilar la materia primaque haba en el batey; y que por el contrario, el jefe de maquinaria presuma porque elcampo no le daba abastecimiento. En la operacin propia del Ingenio, el mecnico tratabade exhibir su eficiencia, cuando tena que parar el tndem por llenos en los depsitos dematerial procesable; al revs, el responsable de la produccin, se jactaba de mantenervacos todos sus depsitos y parados sus equipos. Privaba la desan .ma. El hecho de quelos diversos tcnicos se comenzaran a reunir con el fin de intercambiar experiencias, hasido uno de los factores importantes para que unos y otros compartieran sin egosmos, losdetalles finos de su profesin. De esa manera se fue grabando en la conciencia de todos,que la viabilidad de esta compleja actividad depende, como en la msica, de la cualidad delos conjuntos, que es la armona. .

Bordar sobre la Industria Azucarera con los apasionados de esa especialidad, esfascinante, porque en una fbrica de azcar, la armona tiene que estar presente en todaspartes. Debe haber armona entre lo trmico y lo dinmico y ambos con los volmenes deslidos y lquidos, limpios o sucios, aprovechables o desechables. La Fsica, la Qumica, loTrmico y la Electricidad, hacen un equipo maravilloso, siempre y cuando jueguen enarmona; que si no, se pierde dinero como si se echara al mar y los riesgos de trastornos poraccidente, se multiplican.

Hay que considerar que la capacidad de generacin elctrica de un Ingenio queproduzca doscientas mil toneladas de azcar por zafra, pudiera abastecer de alumbrado auna poblacin de alrededor de quinientos mil habitantes. Un ingenio como ese, recibe y

tritura todos los das ms o menos doce mil toneladas de caa, de las que rescata,administra y aprovecha, en fibra y mdula, ms de mil quinientas toneladas; entrecuatrocientas y quinientas toneladas de miel; y por ah de cuatrocientas de cachaza. Debeenvasar ms de mil trescientas toneladas de azcar; y existe la aspiracin de aprovecharpara riego, las aproximadamente ocho mil toneladas de agua rescatada, que de no lograrlo,el volumen completo o una parte segn el caso, se tiene que canalizar, sin contaminantes, alcauce de los ros.

Debe haber equilibrio entre los volmenes de fibra rescatados del molino y elconsumo de combustible en las calderas; entre el vapor producido y la suma entre el que serequiere para generar energa elctrica y el que demandan las turbinas de los molinos; entreel vapor de escape de las turbinas y el necesario para los equipos del proceso; entre laelectricidad generada y la demanda en general. Cualquier desarmona cuesta dinero. No enbalde los antiguos bautizaron las fbricas de azcar con el nombre de "ingenios".

El mosaico que representa nuestro campo caero, influye notablemente en lacapacidad de los equipos. No es lo mismo triturar una caa de diez por ciento de fibra, queotra de 12; la segunda exige una capacidad instalada adicional en los molinos. Comotampoco es igual procesar los jugos procedentes de una caa regada con aguas duras, queotra con aguas blandas; en el primero de los casos, las incrustaciones disminuyen el nivelde aprovechamiento de los equipos de evaporacin. Todos los temas son interesantes.

La iniciativa de los cordobeses fue afortunada. Los temas mencionados y ms, sevan asimilando en el trabajo, pero aclaramos nuestra visin y nuestras dudas, en los eventosen los que intercambiamos experiencias.

La II Convencin se realiz tambin en la Ciudad de Crdoba entre el 23 y el 26 deagosto de 1972. La organizaron los mismos promotores de la Primera. Esta vez buscaron yobtuvieron el apoyo del Instituto para el Mejoramiento de la Produccin de Azcar(IMPA), lo cual fue un acierto. Antonio Rivera, que a diferencia de Perdomo y de SnchezAnaya, era especialista en el rea de campo, estuvo feliz. Con el apoyo del IMPA, hubotambin una buena asistencia de tcnicos en asuntos relacionados con la caa de azcar ycon la agricultura en general.

A partir de esta reunin, siempre se ha contado con asistentes en las especialidadesde campo y fbrica. El xito fue indudable. Adems, los ya multicitados organizadores,promovieron elecciones democrticas. Los asistentes eligieron como Presidente a Juan DazMontalv08 y como Vicepresidente a Isaac Bazn Barlia9.

la Poltica se entrometi por primera vez entre los tcnicos azucareros. DazMontalvo renunci apenas unos das despus de la mencionada Asamblea. Su decisin fueconsecuencia de la designacin de Francisco Cano Escalante al frente de la ComisinNacional de la Industria Azucarera, que fue la persona con quien tuvo problemas en elIngenio San Cristbal; no quiso heredarle sus desavenencias al grupo de tcnicos, lo cualno consigui.

El seor Cano quiso para s, el mrito de la Convencin recin realizada. Dej parala Historia el Prlogo que dict para la Memoria del evento, que por instrucciones suyas,

8 Juan Daz Montalvo: Legendario mecnico autodidacta de extraccin obrera de la Seccin sindical delIngenio San Cristbal. Como Superintendente de Maquinaria del Ingenio, llev a San Cristbal al primerlugar nu.ndial en cuanto a la cantidad de caa molida por zafra. Cuando se estatiza el Ingenio, es despedidopor ra70l1CSpolticas. Se estaba dedicando a labores de asesora.l) lsaac Bazn Barlia: Ing. Qumico. Trabaj profesional mente como tcnico azucarero en los laboratorios deI()~ingenios rala y El Potrero. Despus se convirti en proveedor de la Industria Azucarera.

edit el IMPA; comienza de la siguiente manera: "La Comisin Nacional de la IndustriaAzucarera, congruente con las disposiciones dictadas por el Seor Presidente de laRepblica, Lic. Luis Echeverria lvarez,de incrementar el ndice de productividad de losfactores que influyen en el desenvolvimiento de la industria azucarera de Mxico, le hasealado al Instituto para el Mejoramiento de la Produccin de Azcar (IMPA) ...10" Ysigue sin mencionar el nombre de los verdaderos organizadores.

El propio Daz Montalvo propuso a Isaac Bazn para asumir la Presidencia, la cualfue rechazada; pero ante lo emergente del caso, consinti en operar como Vicepresidente enfunciones de Presidente. La realidad es que Bazn rescat a la incipiente Asociacin. Lohizo contraviniendo los propsitos de las autoridades azucareras, a pesar de saberseproveedor de importancia para los ingenios administrados por el Gobierno Federal. Conocael riesgo y supo apechugar las represalias. Transcurrieron siete aos para que susoperaciones comerciales con el Gobierno, volvieran a la normalidad.

Bazn, con el apoyo de varios de sus amigos y con la colaboracin de ReginoVelzquez, contratado como Administrador, organiz la III Convencin, que se realizdurante el mes de septiembre de 1973, en la Ciudad de Guadalajara. Por primera vezinaugur el evento el Sector Oficial; lo hizo representado por el Ing. Rodolfo GonzlezMacas. El xito fue indiscutible. En el Hotel Holiday Inn, que era casi nuevo, se instaluna estupenda exhibicin por parte de los proveedores. Los equipos agrcolas lucieron enjardines y patios externos. Tambin por primera vez asistieron propietarios de ingenios yhubo participacin de ellos en la presentacin de las ponencias, como fue el caso de AarnSenz H.

Eran tiempos de abierta Democracia, porque los participantes le daban verdaderaimportancia a la Asamblea previa a la Clausura. Las circunstancias se prestaban a su vez,para las controversias.

Entre los acuerdos de importancia que se tomaron, est en primer lugar laaprobacin para el cambio de nombre de la Asociacin; as nace la (AT AM) Asociacin deTcnicos Azucareros de Mxico, AC11

Estn luego los formales y muy merecidos reconocimientos para Jorge SnchezAnaya, Rodolfo Perdomo y Antonio Rivera, a quienes siempre se les debera recordar porsus trascendentales iniciativas.

Acordaron tambin la designacin del Estado de Morelos para la IV Convencin; yuna de singular importancia: La de invitar como socios de la ATAM, a los azucareros de lasreas administrativas.

Isaac Bazn renunci a la Presidencia en funciones, por considerar que no eraadecuado que la detentara un proveedor. La asamblea la rechaz en medio de una serie dediscursos. Finalmente, despus de que Bazn aceptara continuar 'como Vicepresidente, laAsamblea acord que se presentaran candidatos. De entre tres propuestos por losasamblestas y por votacin abierta, se design Presidente al Ing. Alfonso Vzquez'f.Tambin fueron elegidos por votacin, Alfonso L. Fors (Secretario), Alfonso Miaja Calvo(Tesorero), Nicols Goroztieta (Asesor Jurdico) y los vocales Ral Romo, Rubn

10 Memoria II Convencin Nacional de Tcnicos Azucareros de Mxico; Comisin Nacional de la IndustriaAzucarera; Editado por el Departamento de Publicaciones del IMP A; Mxico 1973; Pg. 9.11 Ver Memorias de la IV Convencin, 1973. Pgs. 359 a 365.12 Alfonso Vzquez. Ing. Mecnico con estudios en USA. Su padre fue propietario de un Ingenio en Yucatn.En su muy larga vida desempe muchos cargos. En 1973 era Superintendente General de Fbrica en elIngenio Atencingo. A partir de esta designacin y hasta su muerte, colabor de una u otra forma con AT AM

Toledano, Alfonso Mancillas y Fernando BaosJ3 Terminando as la que podemos designarAsamblea Constituyente y a sus directivos, como miembros de la primera Mesa Directivade la (ATAM). En realidad, el primer Presidente es Alfonso Vzquez.

En las Memorias correspondientes, primeras editadas por la ATAM, que son enpasta dura de magnfica presentacin, se incluyen, tambin por primera vez, los nombres detodos los asistentes. Es en esta Convencin que se consolida el intercambio deconocimientos entre los azucareros. El 24 de Marzo de 1974, con la comparecencia de losmiembros de la Mesa Directiva vigente, se protocoliz ante Notario el Acta Constitutiva dela ATAM. El gestor ante la Notara, fue Regino Vzquez Rodrguez, Delegado pordesignacin de la Asamblea y primer empleado administrativo de la multicitada ATAM.

La incorporacin de las reas administrativas nos ha enriquecido en el conocimientode la actividad en su contexto. Por eso nos atrevemos a aseverar, que la armona debe dedarse en todos los pasos de las empresas azucareras; desde la planeacin financiera para lasiembra de la caa, hasta la recuperacin de los recursos econmicos por la venta de losproductos. El tema no es fcil de digerir por los nefitos en la materia.

El azcar es un producto de rpida degradacin y/o alto costo de almacenamiento.Es considerado mundialmente como un producto de carcter estratgico, porque si escaseaprovoca disturbios populares, como sucedi en Francia en fechas previas a su Revolucin;y si hay excedentes sin mercado previsto, pueden darse cuantiosas prdidas; pero cuandohay excedentes no controlados, es decir, sin poltica azucarera nacional, se desestabiliza elmercado.

Actualmente en las reuniones de tcnicos se tratan toda clase de temas. Se analizanlos problemas de los mercados del azcar. Se discuten las expectativas de la cogeneracin;de las exportaciones; de los energticos; de los endulzantes que compiten con el azcar; delos alcoholes y de las mieles incristalizables. Los temas laborales son tambin motivo parael intercambio de experiencias y criterios. Sabemos que adems de su carcter estratgico,la produccin agroindustrial azucarera conserva un alto contenido poltico, econmico ysocial; su derrama econmica es, sobre todo en Mxico, regional por excelencia.

Pero una cosa es hablar de una actividad de contenido poltico, y otra muy diferente,es sufrir las embestidas de los polticos.

Para la IV Convencin celebrada en Cuernavaca en 1974, la participacin de losproveedores fue espectacular. En su condicin de patrocinadores del evento, superaron lasexpectativas de organizadores y asistentes. Supongo que la previamente conocida asistenciade un buen grupo de industriales dueos de ingenios, motiv la generosidad de losmencionados patrocinadores.

Estos exitosos eventos, motivaron al Sector Oficial. En la sesin plenaria queintegra a la Asamblea, la Poltica trat de interferir nuevamente, con un golpe de estado a laDirectiva. No lo consigui porque lo impidi la disciplina democrtica de los tcnicosparticipantes, que votaron por la continuidad de la Mesa Directiva en funciones, pero fueotro aviso. Bajo el mismo sistema de propuestas y votacin libre, se eligi Tampico para laV Convencin, la cual se realiz en agosto de 1975, tambin con xito.

13 Todos los mencionados fueron y/o siguen siendo, amigos mos muy estimados. Viven Alfonso Fors,Nicols Goroztieta y Alfonso Mancillas. Fors fue Ministro de Agricultura en Cuba antes de la poca de FidelCastro; en Miami colabor con Diego Surez; y en Mxico con los ingenios San Pedro y Tamazula; vive enGuadalajara. Miaja, Romo, Mancillas, Toledano y Baos, fueron tcnicos de fbrica de alto prestigio.Mancillas es actualmente Gerente del Ingenio San Miguelito. Goroztieta es Contador Pblico y se desempeen diversos cargos importantes; vive en el Estado de Mxico y est retirado. A Baos le tengo perdida la pista.

La participacin de los patrocinadores fue excelente, pero hubo menos asistencia.Ah aprendieron los organizadores, que para un futuro se deba considerar la ubicacin delevento, respecto a las zonas azucareras y a la Ciudad de Mxico, para efecto de proponeralternativas a los votantes. Es por este motivo que actualmente, la decisin la toma unpequeo grupo, autorizado para ello.

Las elecciones en la V Convencin de Tampico, tambin fueron democrticas, perose realizaron bajo un nuevo sistema de planillas completas, voto secreto y se desarrollaronen presencia de Notario. Se eligi a Silverio Flores para la Presidencia. Fue un paso muyimportante, porque concili los intereses de los tcnicos con los de las autoridadesazucareras. La planilla triunfadora la integraron tambin, Alfonso Garca Espinoza(Vicepresidente), Ral Romo (Secretario), Antonio Rivera (Tesorero), Rubn Ayub(Asesor) y como vocales, Vctor Perea, Fernando Ruiz Tern, Francisco Cisneros y JosAbedrop. Una Mesa Directiva compuesta con las diversas disciplinas, adems de lainclusin de los proveedores Perea y Ruiz. Tambin democrticamente, se eligi el Puertode Acapulco para el siguiente ao.

Quiero hacer mencin especial sobre Vctor Pera y Fernando Ruiz Tern. Ambos,desde esa primera invitacin y hasta ahora, no han dejado de participar en las actividades dela ATAM, con solidaridad y entusiasmo. Son de manera casi institucional, loscoordinadores de los eventos relacionados con su gremio, pero adems, han colaborado porsiempre, en la especializada funcin de atender personalmente a los asistentes distinguidos.

Las convenciones VI y VII, se realizaron en Acapulco con la normalidad quepermite un paraso como ese. La VII fue inaugurada por primera vez, por el nuevo titular dela Comisin Nacional de la Industria Azucarera, Gilberto Flores Muoz. Los discursosprotocolarios asumieron un tono abiertamente poltico. Mala seal.

No encuentro registro de las elecciones de la siguiente Mesa Directiva. Supongo quefue decisin directa del Estado. Lo pienso as, por el apoyo poltico y econmico querecibi el nuevo Presidente de la ATAM, Ing. Alfonso Miaja Calvo, desde a partir de susegundo ao de gestin y hasta el trmino del sexenio.

Miaja se hizo acompaar durante su gestin inicial, de algunos tcnicos calificadoscomo el Presidente saliente Silverio Flores, de Ignacio Gurza y de Sergio Martnez Sandiel;por los proveedores Ruiz Tern y Vctor Pera; y por polticos que vieron a la ATAM comoalgo pasajero.La VIII Convencin celebrada en Guadalajara en septiembre de 1978, tuvotodo a nivel de excelencia. Organizacin, patrocinadores, presencia de industriales comonunca, ponencias de calidad, audiencia numerosa. En su discurso inaugural, Gilberto FloresMuoz, Director de la actividad azucarera, jefe directo de ms del 50% de la produccin,orden a los tcnicos de los ingenios oficiales, que se fueran a trabajar a sus trincheras. Asde sencillo fue reducir el xito a menos de la mitad. De ser un evento promisorio, la polticalo transform, como por arte de magia, en un fiasco. La noche despus de la clausura, latesorera no contaba con recursos para pagar los servicios del Hotel. Fernando Ruiz Ternresolvi el problema hacindose cargo de la cuenta. Afortunadamente, diez o doce dasdespus, Flores Muoz ya no era el jefe del gremio azucarero .

. partir de 1979, la ATAM vivi una nueva experiencia. Nunca haba manejadotanto dinero ni haba recibido tanto apoyo. Fluyeron recursos oficiales y privados; elSindicato Azucarero y las organizaciones caeras, apoyaron tambin sin aparentesrestricciones. No cabe duda de que los excesos econmicos y el estudio son pococompatibles. Miaja reorganiz su Mesa Directiva. Incorpor a Carlos Ruiz Coutio, CarlosVillagmez, Jos Enrquez Poy y Mario Lzzeri; los cuatro profesionales serios. Pero el

consentimiento poltico y la abundancia son devastadores. Miaja se mantuvo, sin convocara elecciones, hasta el trmino del rgimen. La ltima Convencin que organiz con todoslos apoyos, se llev a cabo en Mazatln en septiembre de 1981. Para principios de 1983, elSector Pblico haba retirado su apoyo; Alfonso Miaja haba enfermado, y la ATAM habadejado de operar. Casi todos los azucareros la creyeron muerta para siempre.

Por iniciativa de Don Pablo Machado Llosas, Presidente de la Cmara Azucarera,apoyado por Eduardo Mac Gregor Beltrn, Director de Azcar, SA, se tom la decisin derehabilitar la ATAM. Encomendaron la labor a Ignacio Gurza, Victor Pera, Ruiz Tern,Alfonso Garca Espinoza, Manuel Enrquez Poy y al que esto firma. El proselitismo lohicimos realizando Mesas Redondas informativas en todas las zonas azucareras del pas.Finalmente, habiendo modificado los estatutos para eludir en el futuro las designaciones decarcter poltico, se reglament la no eleccin de Presidente y la eleccin delVicepresidente, el cual asume la Presidencia dos aos despus. Ha dado resultado.

La nica eleccin de Presidente directo, ha sido la correspondiente a la implantacindel nuevo Reglamento. En un evento especial celebrado en la Ciudad de Mxico en 1986,fue electo Presidente el Ing. Manuel Enrquez Poy y como el primer Vicepresidente electo,con futuro seguro a la Presidencia, el Ing. Federico Hasbach. De entonces para ac, se hatrabajado con estabilidad. Hubo un serio bache de carcter econmico, que se super con laintervencin de Don Aarn Senz Couret, ante los ingenios afiliados a la CmaraAzucarera.

Enrquez Poy es un tcnico de notoria actividad; estudioso; que ejerce la Ctedradesde hace casi treinta aos; y que ha fortalecido las relaciones internacionales de laATAM. No quiero dejar de mencionar a fieles asociados y colaboradores de los tiemposmodernos, que han apoyado o siguen apoyando al Presidente en turno: Mario GarcaEstrada, Manuel Vaca, Humberto Astorga, Patricia Arreo la, Claudia Martnez, AlbertoAguilar. Los vicepresidentes que han sido electos con posterioridad al Ing. Hasbach, son ensu orden: El Ing. Vctor Pera Cobos, el Lic. Guillermo Ortiz Martnez, el suscrito SergioVilla Godoy, Don Laureano Prez Bonilla, el Lic. Jorge Martnez Licona, a quin durantesu gestin como Presidente, le correspondi solicitar a la ISSCT, la realizacin de suXXVII Congreso en tierras mexicanas. El penltimo es el Ing. Manuel Enrquez Poy, actualPresidente en funciones; y por ltimo el Arq. Alberto Obregn Senz, quin deber asumirla Presidencia de la ATAM, durante el prximo ao 2011.

Desde 1954, que comenc a colaborar con los ingenios, no he dejado de aprender.Mis maestros han sido toda clase de personas. Es importante escuchar al que sabe ms queuno, del tema que sea. As se vive la aventura de descubrir la innumerable variedad deinteligencias con las que se convive en los ingenios azucareros. Hay desde las biolgicashasta las mecnicas; las visuales y las financieras; las que destacan en las polmicas y enlas gestoras; las de inspiracin culinaria, carnvora o vegetariana; las deportivas y lasaltamente desarrolladas en el dificil arte de la mitomana. Es imposible vivir en losingenios, sin percibir en alguien la inteligencia del poeta.

Puedo afirmar que ha sido muy grato el trato con los azucareros, con quienes hecompartido mi vida profesional durante 56 aos. La casi totalidad de los que ms meensearon, ya se fue. La mayora de mis contemporneos, tampoco estn. Pero quedanmuchsimos jvenes que aportan todos los das su ilusin, su estudio, su trabajo y suespritu de grupo. Ellos son el Mxico azucarero de hoy.

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