Challenges in Sugar Sector Prompt Government Scrutiny
December 30 2024 – The Ministry of Agriculture held its end-of-year press conference today at their Georgetown office at Regent Street.
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha led the discussion, reiterating the government’s commitment to enhancing productivity in the agriculture sector.
He reminded that the 2024 national budget allocated $97.6 billion to agriculture, strategically targeting initiatives to boost efficiency and sustainability across all sub-sectors.
In addressing the sugar industry, Minister Mustapha acknowledged the government’s dissatisfaction with the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GUYSUCO) performance. Despite challenges such as droughts in 2023 that affected cane growth and production, GUYSUCO fell short of its production targets for 2024.
He noted that President Irfaan Ali previously emphasized that if GUYSUCO fails to meet its production targets for the first crop of 2025, drastic measures will be implemented to address the corporation’s shortcomings.
Minister Mustapha outlined several strategies aimed at improving GUYSUCO’s performance which includes cost reduction and efficiency, noting that GUYSUCO must focus on reducing production costs and achieving its production targets.
He added that technical support from experts in India and Cuba has been enlisted to collaborate with GUYSUCO on improving operations.
The Minister further stated that it has implemented a Mechanization Program within GUYSUCO, which is intensifying and boosting productivity. This includes: Practicing double-row planting techniques to maximize land use, procuring mechanical harvesters to improve efficiency in cane harvesting and providing additional resources which are being allocated to enhance factory operations and address inefficiencies.
Minister Mustapha highlighted the critical lack of investment in the sugar industry between 2015 and 2020, which has had a lingering impact on the sector’s performance. However, with the renewed focus and resources provided by the ministry, there is optimism for a turnaround in 2025.
He posited that as the agriculture sector moves forward, the Ministry of Agriculture is committed to building resilience and ensuring sustainability. With these measures, the government aims to revitalize GUYSUCO and secure long-term growth for the agricultural industry in Guyana.
The ministry remains hopeful that these efforts will yield positive results in the new year.
