Govt mulls elevating sugar workers into part ownership of industry – Ali

…says workers can be provided with machinery, earn greater salaries

One of the strategies being looked at by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, is to elevate sugar workers into part ownership roles within the industry, ensuring that they can own the means of production, and increase their earnings.
This was revealed by President Dr Irfaan Ali during a public meeting at New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) on Saturday. According to the Head of State, once this strategy is followed through then sugar workers will have the opportunity to form themselves into groups and be part-owners of their means of production.

“When we talk about sugar. We’re looking at coming up with a strategy, through which we can make our sugar workers part of the ownership mechanism of what they do. So not only will we have sugar workers going into the fields and harvesting the cane. But how we can invest into the machinery and equipment, so they can form themselves into groups and be part of the ownership structure of that group,” President Ali outlined.
“So that we can improve the conditions they work in and they can get higher salaries, increased productivity and take home more disposable income. Because they are part of what they’re doing. These are the things that are occupying our minds. These are the things we are discussing,” he added.
He also noted that in addition to sugar workers, the Government is also discussing how to provide single parents and other disadvantaged families with agri-technology, as a way for them to earn disposable income.
Between 2020 and 2024, the Government invested $45 billion in the sugar industry, to revitalise the sector and make it a vital component of the country’s developmental plans.
The focus has been on modernising operations, including the mechanisation of Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) estates, with nearly 40 per cent of the estates now automated.
Additionally, efforts are underway to recapitalise the industry through the replacement of outdated infrastructure and systems, aimed at improving overall efficiency.
With a focus on strengthening internal cooperation, the Government hopes to bring the sugar industry back to its former glory, contributing once again to the nation’s development and economic growth.
The Government has already declared that changes will be made in the management structure of GuySuCo this year, signalling a renewed commitment to achieving higher productivity and greater collaboration between all stakeholders in the sugar industry.
GuySuCo produced 6,738 tonnes of sugar for its first crop of 2024, falling short of the initial target of 16,000 tonnes. In total, less than 50,000 tonnes of sugar were produced in 2024, with President Ali warning that heads will roll if GuySuCo’s 2025 first crop targets aren’t met. In total, Government is projecting the production of over 100,000 tonnes of sugar for 2025.
Last year, some $15.5 billion was expended on support to the sugar industry, including the acquisition of six new cane harvesters; conversion of 2,734 hectares of land for mechanised cultivation and harvesting, and rehabilitated critical revetment works.
In 2025, an additional 3,068 hectares of land will be converted to support mechanisation. Key investments will be made to acquire additional field equipment, rehabilitate field infrastructure, and construct over 17 kilometres (km) of all-weather roads across the industry.
For these efforts, some $13.3 billion was approved during the budget estimates – as part of the Agriculture Ministry’s $104.6 billion budget – to support and rehabilitate the sugar industry this year.