Dear Editor,
In my letter of 09/06/20 I outlined a new model for the Guyana sugar industry where field operations would be outsourced to outgrowers and commercial sugar cane farmers. I thank you for publishing it. In this letter, I am proposing that the marginal sugar cane lands at Wales and East Demerara Estates embark on a Sustainable Sugarcane Production initiative that involves Organic Sugarcane Production using a mixed farming system. I call it marginal because these lands have many issues and may be better suited for this proposed model. The farming method proposed here would involve all the requirements for growing Organic Crops, no artificial pesticides and fertilizers and ripeners, GMO etc. I am certain they have to have International Certification accreditation before they start the process but since the land was devoid of sugarcane they may have a faster accreditation process.
The possibilities and potential for these new investors (young and old farmers but mainly young) are limitless using this initiative once the Government has the commitment. And they should, they will have a young cadre of farmers and unemployment for the youths will be a thing of the past. Just lure the youths with incentives such as cash grants and training. Refer to my previous letter on how you can make sugarcane farming less strenuous. This Sustainable Production System involves intercropping soybean and corn with sugarcane. This initiative will be significant as the government announces incentives for the growing of soybean and corn in their budget presentation and there have been positive results in research trials with these two crops in India.
Organic sugar demands are expected to grow by 15.5% for the period 2017-2022 in the world market. GuySuCo needs to get involved. This demand is driven by the following factors. More retention of nutrients than processed sugar. While the processed sugar contains only sucrose and fructose, organic sugar contains 17 amino acids (protein) and 11 minerals and many different vitamins. This is a key factor that is driving sales of the product. Artificial pesticides and fertilizers are harmful to the consumers and the environment and this is another factor that is driving sales. The growing demand for organic sugar for organic food products, beverages and pharmaceuticals is driven by consumer health concerns and is also the driving force behind an increased demand for organically produced sugar.
Research needs to be done to identify the right variety, other plants that can be intercropped and intervals that can be used and creating brand recognition for their product. Positive research results have been recorded for soybean and corn as intercropping plants with sugarcane. I remember Nicholas Duke started or experimented with organic sugarcane production at Uitvlugt and the Prince of Wales was involved. What is the position here?
Government needs to support subsidies to sugarcane outgrowers/commercial farmers who want to go into organic sugar farming at these locations. Market players internationally have increased their level of investment and research in this endeavour and the sugar industry needs to capitalize on this goodwill. The key players in the world market are Cosan Ltd. (Brazil), Tereos Internacional (Brazil), Shree Renuka Sugars Limited (India), Raizen S.A (Brazil), Dwarikesh Sugar Industries Limited (India), Mitr Phol Group (Thailand), Wangkanai Group (Thailand), Bunge Limited (Brazil)
The Research and Extension Department (my proposal in the previous letter) needs to evaluate Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) of the sugarcane plant in this model and this needs to be researched with sugarcane variety breeding with the intercropping and Organically Produced Sugarcane to evaluate how nitrogen is used so there is the best use of nitrogen.
Flood fallowing, a traditional practice in the Sugar Industry which is well researched in the Industry can play a pivotal role in growing organic sugarcane as this can supply most of the plant cane nitrogen requirements and will reduce the nitrogen input for plant canes.
Tilapia farming in flood fallow fields is a great revenue generating activity that will add income to the farmer while he awaits the sugarcane harvest.
Intercropping with sugarcane has been widely researched and many advantages have been documented. The main alterations are to plant cane at a wider row spacing to accommodate the intercrop. Legumes should be the principal crop as nitrogen will be returned to the soil and will be especially important for the production of organic sugarcane especially in the ratoon crop as flood fallowing will supply the requirement of the plant canes. Legumes, principally soybean should be of a short duration variety before the sugarcane canopy 60-90 days after planting. Research needs to be done on vegetables and other crops as alternate intercrop plants.
In this model, filter press mud a byproduct of sugar production can supply micro and macro nutrients to the sugarcane plant. It is eco friendly and sustainable and has been reported to protect the plant from plant grown diseases. The macro nutrients together with calcium are the major components of filter press mud. Transportation and application costs to the fields will have to be evaluated and this has been a deterrent in the past = but based on the benefits and farming method, a way must be found to use it to incorporate in the field. Filter Press Mud can kill some weeds. Other additional benefits include beneficial bacterial growth that can be advantageous to the sugarcane plant.
Some advantages of intercropping sugarcane with the Sugarcane plant can be:
Reduced weeds infestation-since no artificial herbicides can be used in Organic sugar production. Mid-season income for the farmer, since sugarcane is a 12-month crop. Additional employment opportunities for workers. An important strategy for increasing labour utilization per unit area of available land and productivity and hence intensify the land use.
As suggested in my previous letter another sustainable method that these sugarcane farms will employ is no burning of canes. Additional revenues for the farmer will be bailing the extra trash in the field that can be used for co-generation of electricity after harvest.
The research department had a great biological control programme many years ago and they must invest in this area as a method of crop pest management to enhance the environment. At minimum they should have an Integrated Pest Management Programme (IPM) in force in this Model.
For additional income for the farmer in the medium term I propose planting on the periphery of the field, dwarf or hybrid coconut trees (depend on NAREI’s recommendation for this), the literature suggests that the hybrid variety is better and can withstand environmental stress, diseases and are high in copra production. This will provide additional income for the farmers. Farmers cooperatives will use these coconut trees to establish a vertical integration process with various industries such as canned or boxed coconut water, coconut oil (virgin and conventional), soap and other by-products which we know are numerous. The layout of the plantation is well suited for coconut plantation with the canals for irrigation and transport.
Dairy goats is also a great industry to add to this mixed farming process, but it will need to be supervised carefully. Goats are good browsers and can control noxious weeds. Production of goat’s milk, cheese and soap can be a great additional industry for income for these farmers and their cooperatives.
Editor, these are my visions for Wales and East Demerara Sugar Estates. I still think the sugar workers and the people of Guyana can make this industry great again.
Yours faithfully,
Riaad Etheridge