The agriculture ministry says that in order to boost competitiveness and maintain operations at all sugar estates a $2B investment will be made in the industry and plans are in train to enhance the West Demerara estates.
Minister Robert Persaud made this disclosure to field and officer workers and their unions at a meeting held on Monday at the Uitvlugt Community Centre, West Coast Demerara. The Government Information Agency (GINA) quoted Persaud as saying that despite international pressure to close some of the estates, government has maintained its position to continue operating all eight estates.
Persaud said changes will be made at management and other levels to ensure efficient operations. He also told the meeting that though the measures are being put in place to ensure effectiveness, the benefits will be seen in the long-term. It was pointed out that although there is a long-term viability for investing in sugar; government acknowledges that there will be challenges such as price cuts, adjustments to the arrangement with Europe and climate change. Reference was made to reduction of opportunity days from 120 to 50 as a result of the erratic weather conditions.
The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will be investing approximately $2B in the industry this year and while it is agreed that there is need for more, the allocation is based on the state and the Corporation’s financial ability. According to GINA, this is the largest single investment being made in sugar in order to establish a modern factory and co-generation facility at Skeldon. Additional resources are being spent to set up a packaging facility at Enmore. Another project being pursued is establishing a refinery.
This too is part of the administration’s aim to increase the industry’s competitiveness by bringing the cost of production down from US18 cents to US11 cents per pound so that it can compete on the world market.
