Sugar cultivation, which began in Guyana sometime in the 1630’s, has traditionally been one of the largest industries in the country. Sugar cane production and processing in Guyana has been a major boost to the Guyanese economy and a major industry within the agriculture sector.
Demand for sugar has placed Guyana on the export markets as a lead sugar provider throughout the Caribbean.
The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), which is a Government-owned entity, is the largest producer and cultivator of sugar in Guyana.
GuySuCo’s performance for 2009 should be seen as the commencement of a turnaround. Compared against the performance of 2008, there have been significant improvements.
It must also be taken into account that 2009 saw the emergence of the Corporation, from four consecutive years of very poor weather that caused significant damage to the crop and field activities, into a more productive period.
If good weather continues in 2010, then the Corporation expects that the hard work which began in 2009 can be continued towards the objective of achieving 410,000 TS by 2013.
To further boost the sugar industry a new sugar factory, rated as the most modern sugar factory in the Caribbean, was constructed in Skeldon, Berbice.
According to GuySuCo, the use of diffusion technology in place of conventional milling is a novelty for Guyana. Requiring reduced power, diffusion technology is particularly suited to co-generation.
It is projected that the Skeldon Project will be a major contributor to:
•    reducing the cost of production
•    improving sugar quality
•    increasing production (in excess of 450 000 tonnes)
•    enhancing sucrose recovery
•    reducing operational costs
•    improving operational efficiencies
•    attracting carbon credits
Production of Sugar
•    Expected achievement of 264,091 tonnes of sugar:- this will be 13.3% more than 2009 with better sugar recoveries from cane than in 2010 (TC/TS of 11.51 in 2010 and expected TC/TS of 11.09  in 2011)
•    Expected increase in planting from 12,280 ha in 2010 to 13,800 ha in 2011.
•    Construction of a packaging plant at Enmore
•    Expansion of Blairmont Factory
•    Upgrade of Enmore factory
Cost Reduction Initiatives
•    The training curriculum of the Port Mourant Training Centre was revised to focus on aspects needed for a modernized and competitive industry of the future
•    The Management Trainee course was restructured from being a two-year to a one-year course.
•    Operating profit of $100 m in 2009; a turnaround of $4b
•    Handing over of dispensaries/community centre
•    Earnings before interest and tax turnaround are expected to be $4Bn
•    Cost reduction across the industry is expected to be no  less than $2Bn
Tillage
•    Expected increase in tillage exceeding 25% (target of 11,873 ha against 9,469 ha in 2009).
•    Accelerated land rehabilitation: 14 private contractors employed
Plans for 2010/2011
•    Production of 3,039,209 tonnes and 3,437,824 tonnes cane for 2010 and 2011, respectively.
•    Production of 264,091 tonnes sugar in 2010 and 310,869 mt in 2011.
•    Export sales (sugar) of 251,000 mt and 301,700 mt in 2010/2011, respectively.
•    Land preparation of 11,873 hectares for 2010 and 14,000 ha for 2011.
•    Completion of the Enmore Packaging Plant to produce value-added sugar from 2011.
•    Rehabilitation of abandoned lands at East Demerara (2-year project)
•    Completion of 2010 routine capital expenditure programme (agriculture, factory and administration)
•    Sales of Diamond lands (4-year exercise to end in 2013)
•    Attain 350tc/hr operational capacity at Skeldon factory
•    Power Purchase Agreement on co-generation supply with GPL
•    Implementation of HRMS Software for usage by Head Office and Estates
•    Reduction of man days and hours lost to accidents by 10%
•    Development of improved commercial varieties
•    Integrated management of weeds  and pests
•    Developing sustainable soil and land management practices
•    Optimizing the effectiveness of fertilizers
•    Management of estate and central costs
•    Increase intake of apprentices at the Port Mourant Training Centre
•    Increased staff training