Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali has promised an improved package for sugar workers, but this will follow with higher sugar production, as he engaged with workers at Blairmont Sugar Estate. Emphasizing the necessity to bolster production, he reiterated the government’s commitment to mechanizing the industry.
During his visit to the estate on Wednesday, the President underscored the importance of revitalizing the sugar industry and expressed his eagerness to hear directly from workers. Encouraging them to voice their concerns without fear, he assured them of ongoing investments in GuySuCo aimed at enhancing production.
Addressing some of the challenges facing GuySuCo, President Ali highlighted the underutilization of cane lands and the absence of customary worker incentives. At Blairmont, reduced working hours leading to decreased pay were among the concerns raised, with workers offered three or four-day work weeks.
In a bid to address these issues, GuySuCo aims to cultivate 5000 hectares of cane for the second crop this year, with the President expressing confidence that achieving this target would optimize factory operations. Plans are underway to prepare 20,000 hectares of cane for the first crop next year, coupled with increased capital expenditure to ramp up production.
President Ali revealed that the Agriculture Ministry is actively seeking higher-yielding cane varieties for local cultivation. With GuySuCo targeting 100,000 tonnes of sugar production this year and projecting 140,000 tonnes for the following year, the corporation aims to rebound from last year’s shortfall of under 70,000 tonnes.
Acknowledging the adverse impact of harsh weather conditions on this year’s operations, the President emphasized the importance of his visit in assessing the industry’s future implications on worker livelihoods.
Following interactions with field and factory workers, a team will conduct an assessment based on their recommendations and concerns. Subsequently, a meeting involving the Government, GuySuCo, and the workers’ union will convene to make informed decisions moving forward.
