IT is believed that diversification of the sugar industry is critically needed for the revival and sustenance of the sector.Despite mounting challenges, inherited by the new APNU+AFC Government, it is committed to this, as efforts are in train to strengthen the economic diversification and marketing of the sugar industry.
This was the focus of Agriculture Minister Noel Holder’s presentation at the opening of the first-ever National Cane Farmers Conference yesterday morning, at the Arthur Chung International Conference Centre.
The sugar industry does not produce sugar alone, as several of its by-products can be produced at every stage of the sugar-manufacturing process. Currently, bulk molasses is used by Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), thus the minister stated that this is a good opportunity for Guyana to brand this product, as there is a significant interest in it.
GuySuCo has launched a new brand of packaged sugar for its United States and Canadian markets. The corporation is also working with Caribbean retailers to produce specialised brands of packaged sugars at premium prices for the regional markets.
Areas for diversification for GuySuCo as pointed out by the minister include:
–         Packaging and Storage of Rice – in addition to packaging sugar, GuySuCo is exploring the possibility of packaging rice using the existing staff and skills.
–         Ethanol Production – GuySuCo has the capacity to produce 276 litres of ethanol per day, currently 96 is being produced per day.
–         Aircraft Services – aerial application of fertilisers and chemicals to rice farmers at a cost of $192,500 per hour with the use of existing staff and equipment.
–         Aquaculture Farming – Tilapia and Tambaqui (Pakoo) harvesting could be a possible alternative.
The minister is of the view that it is the mutual goodwill and partnership between cane farmers and the estates that will see the industry develop. To this end, he urged the National Cane Farming Committee to continue its work in actively supporting farmers in their operation and development. “I expect that you will work with the farmers to increase their yields, the use of high-performing varieties, to assist in timely access of the inputs and basically improve agricultural standards that affect cane quality,” Minister Holder said.
Policy changes and measures for the revitalisation, resuscitation and encouragement of private cane-farming is another area of focus for the Administration. It is believed that this must be implemented to engage and stimulate more private cane-farmers. “Indeed, a part of GuySuCo’s existing strategic plan on action focuses on small private cane-farmers engaged in private cane-farming. However, I wish for us not to just address obstacles for the advancement, but a policy to advocate for private farmers,” Minister Holder stated. He emphasised that there must be targeted initiatives implemented to achieve this, which will include financing programmes, land-preparation agreements and conditions of work, among others.
Prime Minister and First Vice President Moses Nagamootoo, who was also present and delivered the keynote address at the conference, echoed similar sentiments. In fact, the Prime Minister called for legislation to be enacted in this regard. “I ask for the respective ministers with portfolio for Agriculture, Finance, Business and Cooperatives to enact appropriate legislation to protect and support private cane-farming in Guyana, so that you, cane-farmers, can provide for yourselves and your families through enhanced earnings from cane-farming. Eventually, we hope that all cane-farmers would have improved living conditions and a better way of life,” the First Vice President said.