– minister urges cooperation

As the sugar industry continues to face challenges, Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud said yesterday that there needs to be cooperation among all stakeholders to meet the goals to ensure its survival.

In this composite photo, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud (left) awards the champion workers of the four Demerara sugar estates for their outstanding commitment to the industry. From second left are Joseph Cunje of LBI/GD; Jean Adams of Enmore; Rajcumar Singh of Wales and Elon Williams of Uitvlugt. (Jules Gibson photo)

Persaud was addressing those gathered at Guysuco’s Demerara Estate Honours Roll Function held at the Ocean View Convention Centre. Twelve workers were honoured for their dedication to the industry.

Persaud told the gathering “We are fighting for survival of the sugar industry,” adding that it all has to do with the industry’s ability to withstand all the external shocks that are taking place globally.

He said that among those issues are the costs of fuel, fertilizer and machinery, which affect the output of the industry.

“Those are the harsh realities that all of us have to bear in mind,” the minister stressed.

He said that while these problems exist, a ten-year business plan was recently completed which follows the overall restructuring programme for the industry.

Some US$181 million, is being spent in Berbice and this sort of intervention will soon extend to the Demerara Estates where some $12 million will be spent on the packaging factory at Enmore. Persaud that he was advised that by mid August the contract for the factory modification will be awarded.

The minister dismissed rumours that one or two of the estates will be closed and assured workers that everything will be done to ensure that all the estates in Demerara remain operational.

This year’s crop, Persaud said, was severely affected by the bad weather and the poor turnout of workers during the first week which was between 50% and 60%. These, he said, were real challenges adding that security fears on the East Coast might have affected turnout levels.

During the event, which lasted more than two hours, the audience was entertained with songs, a dramatic poem and a skit. Also present were Chief Executive Officer of Guysuco Neil Jackson and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ronald Ali.

This year’s Champion workers are cane harvester Jean Adams from the Enmore Estate; LBI/GD’s, Joseph Cunje, a tractor operator; Rajcumar Singh, a cane harvester at the Wales Estate and Elon Williams a cane harvester of the Uitvlugt Estate.