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Sep 03, 2010 News
At least six experts from Cuba are coming to Guyana to assist in improving its sugar industry, especially in the cultivation aspect.
This development follows a high-level visit to that country by a team of agriculture officials led by Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud.
The experts would come at a time when the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is grappling with low production, a slash in sugar price and a falling Euro.
Speaking to Kaieteur News from Cuba, the Minister yesterday said that Cuban experts will serve a crucial role to Guyana, especially as the industry has developed a turnaround plan.
“In our continued effort to deal with the weaknesses in the industry, particularly on the cultivation side, Guyana is pursuing tapping Cuban expertise. Experts will cover a range of skills so as to improve GuySuCo’s agricultural program. From breeding to tissue culture, pest and disease control to better field management. Initially six experts are being tapped,” Persaud said yesterday.
According to the Minister, GuySuCo and Cuba’s skills agency for global sugar support, Technoazucar, are to finalize details.
Cuba also provides skills to support sugar industries in Brazil, Guatemala, Panama, Nigeria, Vietnam, among other producing countries.
“Guyana and Cuba are expected to learn from each other as both countries’ sugar sectors are being modernized and reformed in light of changes to the market arrangements.”
In the early 1990s, Cuba was producing over 4M tonnes per annum.
Yesterday, Persaud met with officials and experts to discuss common challenges facing the industry and possible solutions.
“Like Guyana, Cuba has embarked on a mechanization programme as well as research to deal with climate change and its impact on sugar cultivation.”
Recently, Guysuco tapped three experts from India for the new Skeldon factory and skills are targeted to beef up and train local experts.
According to Persaud, no effort will be spared to get the needed skills set for GuySuCo so that the turnaround plan can be successful.
Accompanying the Minister to on the six-day trip which ends on Monday are Dr. Dwight Walrond, Head, Livestock Development Unit of the Guyana Livestock Development Board and Rajendra Singh, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, GuySuCo.
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