Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha says the government remains committed to revitalising the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), noting that its blueprint for success targets mechanisation, management restructuring and factory rehabilitation.
During his first appearance on Starting Point, the minister said $13.4 billion has been allocated to GuySuCo in this year’s budget. He said this allocation will help the corporation prepare for significant upgrades to its factories.
“We are changing the turbines and rollers so that we can get a better extraction rate,” he said.
The minister explained that mechanisation is necessary as labour shortages remains a challenge for the sector. With expanded employment opportunities across Guyana, he noted that many sugar workers are no longer working six days per week, but two or three. “That is why it’s important that we mechanise GuySuCo so that we can use more machines to plant and cut the canes,” Mustapha noted.
He stated that mechanisation stands at 41% for cultivation, with the ministry aiming to increase that figure to 50% this year.
Regarding plans to diversify the crops grown at GuySuCo, as previously announced by President Irfaan Ali, Minister Mustapha said this remains a priority. “We are working to do that. But right now, we are looking to do more value-added production at GuySuCo,” he said.
The minister noted that the foregoing plans form part of a five-year strategic plan to return GuysuCo to profitability.
He said, “We are not giving up the sugar sector.”