Sugar production stands at 74,900 tonnes

THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) surpassed its 74,000-tonne sugar target for the first crop, producing 74,900 tonnes sugar as of yesterday.

And Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GuySuCo, Mr Raj Singh, told the Guyana Chronicle on Friday that the Skeldon and East Demerara estates are still grinding.

“If the weather permits, we will continue to grind until May 24,” he said.

Singh stated that, at the other estates where grinding has ended, work is ongoing to prepare for the next crop. He said, “There is a lot of work that needs to be done before the next crop.”

Asked about the first crop’s performance, the CEO lauded the efforts of all stakeholders, and was optimistic about the performance of this year’s second crop.

When invited, Singh declined to comment on statements made by President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Komal Chand, who had said, “First of all, you have to recognise that the target was low…The fact that you have a low target and you surpass it, there is not anything much to celebrate or to gloat about.”

The sugar industry’s fortunes are expected to recover, and its efforts are supported by the $6B injection which was approved by the National Assembly in its review of the 2014 Budget.

The $6B are expected to cover expenditures, which include mechanisation through the conversion of 2,500 hectares of land to be made suitable for mechanical operations, which will be done at a cost of $1.1B; tillage and replanting of 9,200 hectares, both efforts being consistent with improving cane production and yield, which will be done at a cost of $1B; factory upgrading of all sugar estates, including Skeldon, which will be done at a cost of $2B; and works to field infrastructure to improve field-to-factory access; and purchasing of equipment, excavators, bell loaders, tractors etc. would account for the remainder of the allocation.

The sugar industry employs about 16,000 workers during its peak periods, and also facilitates about 1,500 cane farmers. The industry is also the nation’s largest net foreign exchange earner, and a large proportion of the industry’s multi-billion-dollar revenue is circulated, thus enhancing many business enterprises.

Also, many villages and communities surrounding the sugar estates benefit from the industry’s expansive drainage network. Additionally, last Friday, President Donald Ramotar extended his congratulations to the management, staff and other stakeholders of the Corporation.

In a statement, the Head of State pointed out that determination and hard work are the key points to achieve desired targets.
He noted that this achievement was not easy, and expressed admiration for the persistence and hard work of the GuySuCo community of stakeholders who made it possible.

The President said attainment of this goal has not been without major challenges, many of which hamper efforts to make the corporation viable and sustainable.

He also encouraged the management, staff, and other stakeholders to let this opportunity further motivate them to greater accomplishments, especially taking into account GUYSUCO’s traditional contributions to the social and economic development of our country.

According to the President, many of the challenges faced by GuySuCo are due to the vagaries of the international market. “At this time, the world market prices for sugar are discouraging, but the Corporation would have to continue to find ways of being cost effective, efficient and productive,” he said.

The Head of State added that he is confident the corporation can regain its prominent position in the social and economic strata of our society; and he encouraged the management, staff and other stakeholders to build on its achievement, cognisant of the need for continued support from all stakeholders.

Despite its challenges, the industry, according to Government, remains relevant to the health of the national economy.

In 2013, sugar exports valued at US$112.2M accounted for 8.3 percent of total exports, and the industry contributed 3.9 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

(By Vanessa Narine)