Skeldon’s private cane farmers’ representative Mr. Rabindranauth Prasad has said farmers are satisfied with the Government’s investment to improve drainage and irrigation (D&I) in their cultivation.

Prasad, who was speaking on behalf of the private cane farmers at the commissioning ceremony of the new Skeldon Factory at Skeldon Estate, reported his colleagues are pleased with the construction of the five sluices, link canal and other services provided by GuySuCo to assist them in their planting.

He expressed gratitude to the Government for making the Skeldon factory a reality, noting it will strengthen the industry’s resolve in handling its challenges.

The private cane farmers will be contributing 33 per cent of the Skeldon Estate production of 110,000 tonnes of sugar per annum.

“Currently, 1,000 hectares of land has already been cultivated, which is approximately 80,000 tonnes of cane that will produce 7,500 tonnes of sugar.

“We will like to assure you that by the year 2011, we will be able to cultivate 4,500 hectares of cane to supply to the new factory, fulfilling our quota of 33 per cent,” Prasad said.

President Bharrat Jagdeo at that forum stressed that the factory reflects a serious commitment by his Government to ensuring the survival of the industry, and all involved must put their shoulders to the wheel to make the investment work.

Region Six Chairman, Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha also commended the Government investment and saw it as a gift to the people of that region.

Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU) President, Mr. Komal Chand, joined Mustapha in slamming the detractors and called on the GuySuCo management to strive for optimal results.

Sugar, Chand contended, has an intrinsic place in the economy and he commended the Government for acting in the best interest of workers.