BY the end of this week, sugar production is expected to surpass that of 2013, which was some 186,500 tonnes, as the current total is over 170,000 tonnes.

This was according to Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who also told the Guyana Chronicle that the current weather conditions are favourable and the 2014 target is expected to be met over the next few weeks.
“I am confident that we will meet the target within the six to seven weeks to go for production. We have enough cane in the fields and we can make it,” he said.
The Minister also expressed the hope that production will not be hindered by non-weather stoppages.
The overall target for 2014 was being moved from 216,000 tonnes to 219,000 tonnes. The first crop was successful, surpassing the 75,000 tonnes target, bringing in about 80,000 tonnes.
Dr. Ramsammy acknowledged the challenges that face the sector, but stressed that efforts are being taken to address these.
$6B ALLOCATION
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 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.
Moreover, there will be 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 sugar 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.

(Vanessa Narine)