The current almost daily rains have rendered the past weeks unproductive for the Guyana Sugar Corporation(GuySuCo), to the extent that opportunity lost equates to the loss of 9,000 tonnes of sugar, although the canes are recoverable with dry weather. This is according to Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, who was at the time giving an update on La Nina conditions and concomitant interventions.
Last week, Deputy CEO Rajaindra Singh noted that production was 42,159 tonnes, out of a total budgeted target of 138,000 tonnes for the first crop of 2011, scheduled to last until May.
The rain is also restricting the burning of cane in order to harvest and is affecting GuySuCo’s ability to till and plant, given the soggy condition of the ground.
Singh explained that should the weather improve, the corporation would be able to catch up on its production.
“Everything is in place, we just need the weather,” said Singh during the interview. “Once we get sunny days, we will get the labour.”