–Declares:‘Those who think sugar is dead are dead wrong’

AGRICULTURE Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy has said that despite the many challenges the sugar industry is currently facing, it remains viable, employing close to 20,000 persons.

Minister Ramsammy told the Government Information Agency (GINA) yesterday that he is optimistic that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will meet its 2014 target, pegged at 216,000 tonnes.

Giving an update on GuySuCo’s operations, Minister Ramsammy said all seven factories are currently functioning, and as of Monday, March 10, production stood at 18,000 tonnes.

“Some of the factories with which we have had issues are functioning relatively well at this time. Enmore, which was one of the earlier estates that started production, is about 4,600 tonnes; and Skeldon, which was one of the last of the seven factories to begin working, is at around 1,600 tonnes,” the minister told GINA in an interview yesterday. He said that most of the estates are meeting their targets because of the good weather prevailing.

Minister Ramsammy said Government will remain committed to supporting the sugar industry, because Government’s decision to support the industry is justifiable, given that the industry has, for decades, lent support to other sectors when those sectors were failing.

“We are not investing more that we are reaping. The industry has served Guyana well for centuries, and like every other industry, it has its difficulties and it requires support from the Government, so we will give support,” he said.

“Those who claim that we are subsidising the industry too much, they are wrong. Sugar has contributed to the welfare of the nation. Large numbers of people are benefiting, and some of the needs of society are being addressed as a result of the operation of the sugar industry,” the minister said as he pointed out that, in many communities, drainage and irrigation capacity has been boosted because of the GuySuCo pump.
“I think (that) by 2020, sugar will reach the target established of 400,000 tonnes. Those who think sugar is dead are dead wrong,” he declared.

(GINA)