The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has revised its sugar production target this year to 236,000 tonnes.
The entity had set the target earlier this year at 265,000 tonnes, however several problems, including low worker turnout, industrial action and inclement weather among other issues saw the first crop this year slipping to a new low, at 71,146 tonnes, the latter figure far lower than the 106,000 tonnes which was recorded at the end of the first crop in 2011.
While no official at GuySuCo could be reached for a comment yesterday, this newspaper was told that a significant number of canes from the first crop are being utilized for the second crop which has already started. It was noted however, that not much could be juiced out of such canes which have grown past their harvest period.
According to a source at the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the weather has already had an impact on the start of the current crop as rains have affected planting at several estates across the country.
GuySuCo CEO, Paul Bhim had told this newspaper earlier this year that the entity was focusing on worker turnout among its plans to ensure that it meets the target set. However, as the first crop progressed industrial action across the sugar estates, mainly the East Demerara estates saw production being hampered.
Last year, the industry managed 237,000 tonnes of sugar, which was below the 282,000 tonnes revised target set mid-last year.
GuySuCo noted last year as the second crop came to a close that turnout was one of several problems that affected production. But GAWU later indicated that the corporation needed to restructure and address its planting methods, while saying the unavailability of canes needed to be addressed. The union’s president Komal Chand last year end called for experts to be brought into the sugar corporation to save the industry.
The sugar industry has struggled with production in recent years. Last year’s production figure was set at 300,000 tonnes at the beginning of the first crop before being revised midway through the year. In 2010, GuySuCo had set the figure at 264,000 tonnes but fell short of that target too at 233,000 tonnes. In 2009, the corporation had set its target at 250,000 tonnes and the corporation also fell short of the target by producing 226,000 tonnes.
Meantime, Stabroek News understands that major rehabilitation works to the Skeldon sugar factory have been put on hold. Reports are that GuySuCo had initially planned to carry out works on the factory at the end of the first crop two months ago.
However, the nature of the works, which includes the re-engineering of the bagasse feed system, redesigning the cane conveyers, drilling of a new well, the replacement of a 5MW alternator as well as the modification of the pump dumpers, resulted in the plans being shifted to the end of this year since they would not have been completed in time for the second crop.
The US$200M Skeldon sugar factory was unveiled by the government to boost production to 300,000 tonnes and over per annum, however the factory has been plagued by numerous problems from the very start.
