The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has reported that the second crop is off to a good start.

And GuySuCo looks forward to consistently high attendance by workers to maintain the production momentum.

According to the Company, grinding for this crop commenced at the end of July and is progressing steadily.

“Estates have all started off well and targets have been surpassed at Albion, Rose Hall, Blairmont and Uitvlugt.

“This achievement qualified workers at the respective estates for the equivalent of one extra day’s pay under the Production Incentive Scheme,” the Corporation said.

Operations commenced in the Berbice region at the Albion, Rose Hall and Blairmont locations, and will last for 20 weeks.

Skeldon is likely to start grinding later this week. The Demerara estates of Uitvlugt, Wales, Enmore and LBI began grinding in the week ending August 1.

Production in Demerara will continue for some 15 weeks. The crop is expected to produce well over 160,000 tonnes of sugar.

Rain has caused some delay in commencement of grinding this crop, but GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Errol Hanoman said this setback will in no way affect production as harvesting in a sunny atmosphere is ideal, in terms of protecting the sucrose content of the cane.

Nor will the quotas for the European and other markets be affected, Hanoman contented.

GuySuCo has reported that heavy rainfall between January and March has resulted in a shortfall of 6,000 tonnes in their production target for the first crop this year.

But the CEO said though the 6,000 tonne shortfall meant they were only able to produce 83,000 tonnes of sugar in the first crop, there is strong optimism that the steady efforts of his management team will lead to higher productivity in the months ahead.

Last year, the high level of rainfall affected worker turnout, caused damage to crops, and along with strikes, affected the completion of the field programme, resulting in an annual production of 226,268 tonnes of sugar compared to the 226,482 tonnes produced the previous year.

Meanwhile, the new factory at Skeldon joins the production drive from August 15, and will be formally commissioned on August 22, 2009.

That factory is producing electricity for the Guyana Power and light (GPL) Company, using the co-generation facility.