THE production in the sugar belt is encouraging, given the sector’s performance last year, with some 212,000 tonnes produced as of last Friday.This is according to Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, yesterday, during a press briefing, when he expressed confidence that the sector will meet its target of 216,000 tonnes.
While the official target is 216,000 tonnes, there was an expectation that the sector could see a production of 219,000 tonnes, given the success of the first crop this year. The first crop surpassed the 75,000 tonnes target, bringing in about 80,000 tonnes.
Additionally, a $6B allocation, in the 2014 National Budget, for GuySuCo was approved by the National Assembly. The $6B is expected to cover expenditures that include mechanisation, through the conversion of 2,500 hectares of land to make them suitable for mechanical operations, which will be done at a cost of $1.1B, tillage and replanting of 9,200 hectares, both efforts being consistent with improving cane production and yield, which will be done at a cost of $1B, factory upgrading of all sugar estates, including Skeldon, at a cost of $2B, and works to field infrastructure to improve field to factory access, and purchasing of equipment, excavators, bell loaders, tractors, etc. to account for the remainder of the allocation.
Despite the dismal sugar production in 2013, Guyana has been taking steps to turn around the industry and hopes to meet the 300,000 tonne target soon, with a projection that the sector will reach its 400,000-tonne goal by 2020.
Despite its challenges, the industry, according to Government, remains relevant to the health of the national economy. In 2013, sugar exports accounted for 8.3 per cent of total exports, valued at US$112.2M, and the industry contributed 3.9 per cent of the country’s GDP.