Cuban engineers who arrived here in May to assist the sugar industry will be here for 12 months based on performance and the government says attempts to recruit the skills locally failed.
In Parliament last week, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha provided written responses to a series of questions posed by APNU+AFC MP Vinceroy Jordan.
Asked the purpose of the visiting team of engineers, Mustapha said: it will provide “critical support to promote the mechanization of agricultural operations as a means of improving agricultural productivity and to better utilize available human resources”. He added that they are engaged in mechanization initiatives – field layout development and training staff and maintenance requirements of field and factory equipment.
Further, the agronomist will assist the Agriculture Department “with improvements in agronomic practices and best practices generally”. He added that the assistance is being provided as part of the Guyana-Cuba cooperation agreement.
Responding to other questions from Jordan, Mustapha said that the engineers will be placed at all four estates: Albion, Rose Hall, Blairmont and Uitvlugt.
On the question of whether there was a study or analysis to determine the choice of engineers, Mustapha said: “The choice of Engineers/Agronomists emanated as a result of GuySuCo’s objective of furthering agriculture mechanization. These include soils, fertilization and general agronomical practices”.
As it relates to the factory, Mustapha cited the need to “improve overall efficiencies in the areas of milling and process house operations, and boilers and steam generation have influenced the choice of Engineers”.
He added that having reviewed possible sources of engineers from outside of the country “Cuba was found to have had a long history of cane sugar production and productivity which matched Guysuco’s needs. It was therefore the logical country to go to in close proximity to Guyana for highly technical competent staff”.
Asked about the expected outcome from the team, Mustapha said: ”Improvement in the Field and Factory operational parameters to increase higher levels of cane and sugar production on all Estates”.
Asked if there was an extensive search locally for competent engineers, Mustapha said: “Yes, given the shortage of engineers, GuySuCo on several occasions advertised locally but the hoped for results did not materialize”.
Mustapha also provided figures for this year’s dismal first crop. The total of 6,738.9 tonnes was the lowest in the corporation’s history.
Albion did not grind because of a power house fire on February 3rd, 2024. Rose Hall produced 1,779.8 tonnes, Blairmont 2,084.8 tonnes and Uitvlugt 2,874.3 tonnes.
Earlier this year, there were complaints from the staff of GuySuCo about the language barrier between them and the Cuban experts. A decision was then made to assign interpreters.
