Recent heavy rains have slowed down cane harvesting but once the weather improves efforts will be made to make up for the time lost, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud said on Monday.
He told reporters at a press briefing at his office that nothing from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) suggests the likelihood of a failure to meet the target of 133,400 tonnes for the first crop. Persaud noted that recent rains have slowed down harvesting because the canes cannot be burnt and the mechanical harvesters are having some difficulties. This has “dampened” harvesting but once the weather improves, the sugar corporation’s management anticipates efforts to make up for the time lost. It was noted that the current weather patterns are due to La Nina conditions and these are expected to persist into March.
The minister said too that an improved turnout of close to 60% of the workforce has been seen.
Meanwhile, reacting to a report that said Head of the European Commission to Guyana Geert Heikens is convinced that GuySuCo has set too ambitious a target for this year, Persaud said that the European Union should look at how they can fulfill the commitment and obligations that they made rather than offering commentaries on what is possible and what is not. “We still would anticipate and expect that the EU would be flexible for instance in terms of funding for the Sugar Action Plan,” he added.
He said that the numbers set by GuySuCo would have been set on a realistic assessment. The minister noted that the availability of cane is not a difficulty; rather it is moving it from field to factory. He noted that price cuts are taking a severe toll and close to $10B was lost last year as a result of the 36% price cut. He said that they are constantly engaging the EU and expect that there would be some flexibility and they take note of the realities and efforts of the industry. “There is need for flexibility and greater support,” said Persaud.
