– Wales to be used as diversification ‘model’

By Nafeeza Yahya

IN the first public pronouncements on the diversification plan for the sugar industry, Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder Wednesday pointed to a range of economic activities meant to maintain jobs across the industry.“The new GuySuCo (Guyana Sugar Corporation) will not be about sugar alone, but a business in which sugar is but one activity.

“It will include other activities such as co-generation, aquaculture, fruit crops, dairy farming, livestock farming and rice cultivation,” Holder told sugar workers at the Albion estate where champion workers were being honoured.

He said the new business ventures would be geared to make a profit and be “cash” positive, both individually and collectively.

So far, he said the corporation is attempting to utilize its assets to generate funds and this includes land sales and diversification to other products.

Holder announced that GuySuCo has established a diversified products division, recruited a coordinator and will establish a diversified Products Sub-committee of the board of Directors.”

Acting CEO of GuySuCo, Paul Bhim, said “Guysuco is a business and has to function as one and that the future of Guysuco lies in the combination of profitable non-sugar activities and some sugar production.”

Holder said it’s unlikely that the corporation will achieve its 2016 production target of 242,287 tonnes of sugar due to poor weather conditions in the latter part of 2015 and early 2016.

However, he said he was happy that the corporation has recognised the need to continue on the road to diversification with the launching of the “New Guysuco” by introducing two campaigns, namely “One GuySuCo” and ‘Putting GuySuCo first.”

“For the first crop of 2016, we have experienced underperformance of 29% with actual production of 56,825 tonnes, compared with a budget of 80,270 tonnes.

“This will clearly have financial implications and solidifies the grave need for GuySuCo to continue on the road to diversification to revitalize the industry.

“It is heartening that the board and management is [sic] pursuing a one-year change management programme,” Holder stated.

He explained that the two campaigns are geared to enhance team-building and collaborative initiatives that promote shared values among the employees to achieve the new GuySuCo.

“It is this positive attitude and team-spirit that will propel the industry forward and undoubtedly contribute to future success.”

Minister Holder said the Wales estate, which was identified as the least productive estate, is earmarked as the model for diversification and feasibility studies are presently ongoing and should be out by October of this year. He said the government will facilitate the expansion and sustainability of the industry.

“I said it once and I would like to reiterate it here, government is committed to securing the future of the approximately 17,000 persons employed in the sugar industry and their dependants.”

Bhim also thanked the government for their recognition of the state of affairs of the industry and plugging funds to help them, but assured that GuySuCo must function as a business and with the diversification, the corporation will weather the storm to become a profitable organisation.

The minister stated that the ministry will work with the management and board to “put the industry on sound footing.”

This, he said, continues to be “the core target of our government as both sugar workers and their families remain close to our heart.”

The Agriculture Minister applauded the workers for their hard work, stating that “you are the main reason for the corporation exceeding the 2015 target by 3,627 tonnes.”

Minister Holder cautioned against industrial action and called for a new industrial relations climate where the union, workers and management [would] work together for the betterment of the industry and workers.

According to Minister Holder, the 193 strike actions during 2015, even though it was one less than the previous year, amounted to G$181.5 million or 70,129 in man days and wages lost.

GuySuCo honoured 29 workers in various fields across all the estates, with 10 champion workers receiving $50,000, a gold brooch, and a trip to Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls for themselves and spouse.

The 10 first runners-up received $30,000 and a certificate of appreciation, while nine second runners- up received $20,000 and a certificate of appreciation for their efforts.

The honour scheme recognises workers who championed above others in their respective field of operations and sought to motivate others to strive for excellence.

The champion workers awarded were: Haresh Balram of Skeldon Estate; Hugh Orin Thomas of Albion Estate; Jagdeo Phillips of Rose Hall Estate; Hansram Jagdeo of Blairmont Estate; Peter Budhu of Enmore Estate; Ramlochan Ramoutar of LBI Estate; Kevin Floyd Edgar of Head Office; Ryan Petrie of the Demerara Sugar Terminal; Chandraite Dharundhar of Wales Estate; and Kalicharran Ramnaraess of Uitvlugt Estate.

Acting CEO Paul Bhim, in his brief remarks, applauded the efforts of the champion workers, whom he said rose above negative criticism and publicity to become champions in their respective fields.
He also appealed to others to be motivated and take a page out of the books of the champions as a lot more of similar efforts are needed to get the sugar industry back on track.