SEASONED private and public sector manager Dr Leslie Chin has said that although the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is in the business of sugar, it should consider looking beyond sugar in its diversification plan.Dr Chin told the Guyana Chronicle in a recent interview that a possible area of GuySuCo investment could be in aquaculture. He pointed out that the Corporation can test the viability of this option during the periods when fields are flooded.
Every five years, GuySuCo flood-fallows its fields to improve soil fertility to enable high quality sugar cane; and according to Dr Chin, perhaps it might be feasible for the Corporation to exploit this time for aquaculture production.
Dr Chin explained that it would not be taking away from sugar, but would help GuySuCo to gain maximum benefits from its fields while supporting value-added. And if successful, he said, the option would aid in GuySuCo’s diversification drive.
GuySuCo has been producing packaged sugar for export to Europe, and has also been trying its hand in the production of ethanol. Dr Chin said aquaculture would not be a competing product, but a complementary one; and if successful, it would contribute to the success of the Corporation.
He suggested that for a start the Corporation could, at a small fee, rent the flooded fields to aquaculture farmers for a period of six months, or allow them to use the fields for free, just to see how things would develop.
The objective is to see how the business works, Dr Chin explained, as he pointed out that it would be a win-win situation for all involved.
The farmers would gain, he said, cultivating on rented lands at cheap rates; while for GuySuCo, it will be a first-hand experience of how the business works, and an opportunity to know what to do to improve it.
Once successful, he said, GuySuCo could retake the fields and get into production using the expertise at its disposal.
NOT LOSING
“It will be a case where you are not losing money but are learning, being innovative and approaching things in a different way,” Dr Chin said. He pointed out that he had approached GuySuCo with the plan, but it did not receive a favourable review. Perhaps, he said, the Corporation can review its decision.
Dr Chin said the corporation had told him that it was in the business of sugar production and was contented to focus its energies on ensuring the viability of the industry.
About a decade ago, aquaculture was touted as a new emerging industry, enjoying the full support of the Government with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Poor management and internal wrangling had prevented the industry from taking off, but it has not fizzled out. There are, currently, about 12 significant players in the industry, who, combined, operate an area of about 3,000 hectares. Dr Chin said that with better management and support, the industry can regain momentum and become a force to be reckoned with.
He pointed out that energies will be channelled in this direction.
He said that focus would be placed on rearing Tambaqui, also known in Guyana as Fresh Water Pacu, which is accepted in European markets; and less attention will be given to Tilapia, as the market for this fish is very competitive.
Guyana is blessed with an abundance of land, water and an ideal climate for aquaculture, and according to Dr Chin, if rearing of these two species is successful, attention will be expanded to include shrimp and crayfish.
Today, aquaculture is the fastest growing sub-sector in agriculture, and aside from tourism, it is the second fastest growing sector globally.
More than 50 per cent of all fish consumed worldwide come from artificial ponds on land and marine cages, compared to some 7 per cent 45 years ago.
According to Dr Chin, some Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) experts have unofficially estimated that, in the next 50 years, some 99 per cent of all fish consumed would come from aquaculture.
By Tajeram Mohabir
