HARSH dry weather was blamed for a 29.3 percent drop in sugar production for the first crop, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) said yesterday.AFTER completing a full review of the first crop, the Corporation reported production at of 56, 825 tonnes.
The shortfall in the first crop, according to GuySuCo, was due substantially to the El Nino weather conditions, which severely dried out the canes, drastically constrained cane growth, and also led to reduced sugar content.
Further, the crop coming into the drought was in an unhealthy state, which was worsened by the El Nino conditions. “Obviously, this has been a great disappointment to all, especially after the promise of the 2015 Second Crop,” lamented the corporation through its release.
The shortfall is bound to have significant financial implications for an already “cash-strapped industry,” necessitating management’s consideration for further strategies of re-organisation of the industry, with a view of making the corporation a viable business entity, the release stated.
The audit of the production, which takes place at the end of each crop, is underway, but it is not expected that the final figure would vary significantly.
It is as a consequence of this process that categories of workers at Wales Estate have been offered alternative employment opportunities at Uitvlugt Estate, but some have persisted in opting for early retirement, or severance pay, as applicable.
Despite the challenges, GuySuCo said management is sparing no effort in carving out creative and innovative pathways to lift the Corporation out of its current financial state and is strategizing to retain current skills and competencies into proposed diversification projects.