The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will continue receiving government support, but President Dr. Irfaan Ali says the body must diversify into other crops and services.
“GuySuCo can and must become a hub of rural economic development,” Dr. Ali said at a forum ceremony hosted to mark the 77th anniversary of the death of the Enmore Martyrs.
He opined that the corporation can branch off into the production of other crops like rice, corn, and cassava, or even develop other services from agro-processing to fabrication and engineering ventures. It is believed that the corporation can move away from the heavy focus on exporting bulk sugar.
GuySuCo is a huge employer of Guyanese workers across several estates. President Ali said the sugar industry will continue to enjoy government support as communities depend heavily on this sector.
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However, he acknowledged that GuySuCo has long been beset by various challenges, including mismanagement and neglect from 2015 to 2020 when his party, the People’s Progressive Party, was out of office. He also said climate change is an increasingly serious issue. Nevertheless, he opined that GuySuCo is turning its fortunes around slowly.
“GuySuCo has begun to fight its way back. Factory downtime is down by 22%, cane yields are up by 11%, investments are being made…” he told the scores of persons gathered at Enmore.
Dr. Ali also reminded them of the government’s continued focus on mechanisation and improving workers’ lives. Such ventures, he explained, are part of a steadfast commitment to honour the martyrs through the government’s and party’s actions.
At this annual event, many remember the selfless sacrifice of the five slain sugar workers — Rambarran, Pooran, Lallabagee, Surajballi, and Harry. The Head of State reflected on their brave sacrifice. He, like many others, said the death of the Enmore Martyrs was a watershed moment in Guyana’s political history. After the 1948 incident in Enmore, the struggle against colonial oppression intensified until Guyana gained independence in 1966.
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