Dear Editor,
I wish to draw attention to the persistent issues of fraud within the Guyana sugar industry, which bear troubling similarities to the infamous rice scandal in Thailand. Both sectors, once the pride of their respective nations, have become riddled with corruption, costing taxpayers millions and tarnishing their global reputations.
In Guyana, the sugar industry has long been plagued by inefficiency, mismanagement, and now, an increasing number of fraud cases. Reports show that over GYD $30 billion has been injected into the industry in recent years, yet the returns have been dismal. Financial irregularities, inflated production reports, and misappropriated funds are rampant. Just last year, an audit uncovered millions of dollars unaccounted for in procurement processes. These actions not only damage the industry but also hurt the thousands of workers and their families who depend on it for survival.
This is strikingly similar to the situation in Thailand, where a rice subsidy scheme between 2011 and 2014 led to massive losses. The government purchased rice from farmers at inflated prices, far above market value, resulting in a stockpile of unsold rice. The scheme ended up costing Thailand over $8 billion in losses, and it became one of the largest corruption scandals in the country’s history. High-ranking officials were prosecuted, and it took years for the rice industry to recover.
Both cases highlight a disturbing pattern of how corruption in agricultural sectors can devastate entire economies. In Guyana, taxpayers have poured billions into reviving the sugar industry, yet without transparency, oversight, and accountability, we are at risk of suffering the same fate as Thailand’s rice industry. It’s time we confront the rot within our system and push for real reform before Guyana’s sugar sector collapses under the weight of corruption, like Thailand’s rice industry.
Sincerely,
Keith Bernard
