CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation, Mr Raj Singh, has reported that GuySuCo’s production target for the first crop of sugar is within reach.

In an invited comment to this publication on Saturday, he disclosed that, to date, 62,000 tonnes of sugar have been produced; and once the weather holds, it is expected that the target of 74,000 tonnes would be achieved.

Singh noted that, except for Skeldon, Enmore and La Bonne Intention (LBI) estates, all GuySuCo estates are expected to complete harvesting in the first week of May.

“The other estates — Skeldon and the East Demerara estates — are likely to complete their harvesting before the end of May,” he said.

The CEO reiterated that the industry depends on good weather conditions to meet its production targets. He said climate change has altered weather patterns, and this is affecting the industry’s output.

For example, he said, workers now have to make do with 80 or less opportunity days, whereas the industry used to enjoy 120 opportunity days. Accordingly, he said, climate change adaptation is a necessity.
In its review of the 2014 Budget, the National Assembly approved a $6B allocation for GuySuCo, which is deemed quintessential to the industry’s turnaround in that it is expected to cover expenditures that include: conversion of 2,500 hectares of land to be suitable for mechanical operations, which will be done at a cost of $1.1B; and tillage and replanting of 9,200 hectares, to be done at a cost of $1B. Both efforts are consistent with improving cane production and yield. Upgrading of all sugar estates, including Skeldon, would cost $2B; and works on field infrastructure to improve field-to-factory access, besides purchasing of equipment, tractors excavators, bell loaders, and other purchases, would account for the remainder of the allocation.

The sugar industry employs approximately 16,000 workers during its peak periods, and facilitates about 1,500 cane farmers. The industry is also the nation’s largest net foreign exchange earner, and a large proportion of its multi-billion-dollar revenue is circulated locally, thus enhancing many business enterprises.

Moreover, villages and communities surrounding the sugar estates also benefit from the industry’s expansive drainage network.

Government has said that, despite its challenges, the sugar industry remains relevant to the health of the national economy.

In 2013, sugar exports valued at US$112.2M accounted for 8.3 per cent of total exports, and the industry contributed 3.9 per cent of the country’s GDP.

(Vanessa Narine)