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– plans increased assistance for private farmersBy Jarryl BryanThe inaugural National Cane Farmers’ Conference was held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre yesterday,Nathan MacKinnon Team North America Jersey, with Prime Minister and First Vice President Moses Nagamootoo addressing sugar cane farmers and giving assurances that despite the challenges, there was no question of Government scaling down or abandoning the industry.A section of the audience pays rapt attention to proceedings.But in light of the financial burden the industry has placed on the nation, Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder put forward several plans, including “a proposition to put more sugar cane production into private farmers (hands), similar to the rice industry.”The conference attracted attendees from varying demographics, including members of cabinet and the diplomatic corps. It also gave the Government the chance to interact with farmers and allay their concerns.Nagamootoo acknowledged that while the once booming industry had been reduced to being a “pauper that lives off of handouts from the state”, the Government had no intention of abandoning the sugar industry in its times of trouble, unlike other CARICOM countries.“The focus is to make sugar work. We have too many workers who stand to lose with the collapse of the industry. This new Government will not allow sugar to sink,Brian Elliott Jersey,” the Prime Minister stated.PM Moses Nagamootoo addresses the gathering.Nagamootoo lauded the Private Cane Farmers’ Committee, stating that through their efforts, 26,132 tonnes of sugar is expected to be produced for 2015. With 8,John Gibson Team North America Jersey,991 tonnes of sugar already produced from the year’s first crop that leaves 17,141 tonnes expected from the second crop. He described this as a “very good and rewarding performance” that “could be better” from the private farmers.In comparison with the estates, which also have to produce sugar to sell to GuySuCo, the multi-billion-dollar Skeldon factory has produced a mere 2,656 from its first crop of 2015,Brian Sutter Jersey, while Albion recorded 15,487 tonnes, Rose Hall 7,688 tonnes and Blairmont 10,Dino Ciccarelli Jersey,525 tonnes. All have been behind target.“There are many shortfalls that affect GuySuCo. Enhanced focus will be placed on shortage of skilled personnel,Bobby Smith Jersey, labour turnouts in the field and factories, Guysuco’s capital expenditure programme, cost of production and marketing of sugar.” These matters, the politician affirmed, would be addressed by Government with urgency.Meanwhile,Sean Monahan Team North America Jersey, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder took a similar line, but also revealed the Government’s plan to provide more support to private cane farmers through a limited revolving fund, in addition to introducing aquaculture in the cane fields“(Through this fund) a small farmer will be entitled to small loans at zero interest for farming purposes. Many farmers, mostly from Demerara, benefitted from this initiative and will continue to do so. However, this also needs a $200,000 restriction on each farm, which works out at $50,000 per acre.”The Minister also decried the instances of cane farm abandonment, stating that 1000 hectares were abandoned by cane farmers for varying reasons. He called on farmers to return to their holdings.Commenting on the Commission of Inquiry into GuySuCo launched by the Government, Holder stated that the COI will “improve the structure of the industry, including the environment for innovation and sustainability.” In addition, the Minister stated that the COI was mandated to chart a course for the industry for the period spanning 2016-2030 and that the Commission’s findings would be ready by September of 2015.Holder,Antti Niemi Jersey, who was recently hospitalized for a heart-related condition but looked sprightly enough in his delivery, also spoke of a projected shift in sugar cane production, with private farmers producing more sugar than ever versus the estates.The placement of the industry into private hands has been a prevalent debate, as GuySuCo has been granted massive subsidies under the APNU+AFC. Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, Dr. Clive Thomas, has repeatedly called for downsizing of the industry and the need to privatize the industry. He currently sits on GuySuCo’s Commission of Inquiry.Speaking on the diversification of the industry, Holder spoke of GuySuCo packaging not only sugar, but rice as well. He also explored ethanol production as a means of operating the fuel pumps and earning revenue.FARMERS’ PERSPECTIVESpeaking with Kaieteur News after the conference, farmers had an optimistic view of the conference. One farmer, Kelvin Braithwaite gave credit to the Government for examining ways to help farmers. He however, pointed to financing as one of the most pressing issues.“The biggest problem right now is finance. We are not getting that kind of raw cash to get machines. It’s not like years ago when you had to get (pitch) forks and weeding. Those are outdated. Machines are needed for faster production.”Another farmer described the convention as very informative, but stated that “where prices are concerned, we are at a dead end. We cannot survive with the price. So we need to hear from them so we can know what we, as a cane farmer, can put into the industry. Other than that,Mikael Granlund Jersey, I may have to phase out.”He also listed the fertilizer and punt charges payable to GuySuCo as a matter of grave concern. Describing the punt charges as “way beyond”, he pointed out that 15 percent of the money he gets for sugar goes to punt charges for GuySuCoThe world price for sugar stands at approximately US$0.11 per pound, while Guyana’s cost of production is approximately US$0.40 per pound. In addition to the failure of the Skeldon factory and the industry’s below par production, the previous Government has nevertheless plugged billions into GuySuCo over the preceding years.This APNU+AFC administration has already given some $3.8B to GuySuCo and this year’s budget saw a further allocation of $8.2B. |
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