Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
May 13, 2016 News
The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has confirmed that it has missed its first crop target by some 29.3 percent, as the disastrous ‘El Nino’ weather condition, which has been ravaging agriculture in general from last year,
took its toll on sugar cane cultivation.
GuySuCo, which had just completed a review of the first crop for this year, reported in a statement yesterday that compared to the expected 80,270 tonnes, actual production was registered at 56,825 tonnes.
The corporation did note that the audit of the production figures, which takes place at the end of each crop, is underway. However, it is reported that the final figure is not expected to vary significantly.
“The shortfall in the First Crop was due substantially to the El Nino weather conditions which severely dried out the canes, drastically constrained cane growth and led to reduced sugar content,” the corporation stated yesterday.
“It is also important to note that the crop coming into the drought was in an unhealthy state which was exacerbated by the El Nino conditions. Obviously, this has been a great disappointment to all, especially after the promise of the 2015 second crop.”
The corporation stated that the shortfall is likely to have significant financial implications, for an industry that is already cash-strapped. In view of the production setback, the corporation will be looking at further strategies for re-organizing the industry to make it a viable business entity.
“It is as a consequence of this process that categories of workers at Wales Estate have been offered alternative employment opportunities at Uitvlugt Estate, but some have persisted in opting for early retirement, or severance pay, as applicable.”
“Despite the challenges, the management is sparing no effort in carving out creative and innovative pathways to lift the Corporation out of its current financial state and is strategizing to retain current skills and competencies into proposed diversified projects.”
Last year, the first crop had been extended. The revised crop target of 83,000 tonnes which GuySuCo had set was matched by 81,194 tonnes. Back in 2014, GuySuCo’s first crop target was set at 74,616 tonnes and the industry recorded 74,842 tonnes.
Government had injected $9 billion into the corporation for 2016, while the industry is estimated to grow by 4.8 per cent to 242,287 metric tonnes. Last year’s creditable performance had prompted Finance Minister Winston Jordan to project that the industry is showing signs of recovery.
The overall sugar production target for this year is pegged at 240,000 tonnes.
According to a source, almost all of the estates have missed their target while some of them are continuing to work to reach their marks.
Three of those Estates are Blairmont, Rose Hall and Albion. On the other hand, Enmore, Wales and Uitvlugt have closed their production. However, Uitvlugt made modest attempt to achieve its target. The estate missed its target of 8,200 tonnes, finishing its crop with 7,900.
The Wales Estate reportedly brought in 5,600 tonnes, which is a shortfall from its projected 8,500 tonnes. In March, Finance Director Paul Bhim had announced production at 11,243 tonnes. At that time, Bhim had indicated that the industry was battling its way against the unfavourable weather conditions while production was encouraging.
It was reported that the corporation was controlling its water supply. GuySuCo was also hit by a number of strikes organized by Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) in a bid to agitate for wage negotiations, Annual Performance Incentive and reverse the Wales Estate being shut down.
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