President pledges to "make sugar great again"

President Irfaan Ali has defended his Government’s continued investment in the sugar industry, as not just support for the industry, but also support for the thousands of families connected to the industry.

Delivering the keynote address at the 177th Commemoration of the Enmore Martyrs in Enmore, the President vowed that his Government will continue to make investments in sugar.

He admitted that it is a “costly exercise”, but one that is worth the investment.

“And make no mistake, we will make sugar great again. Guysuco has begun to fight its way back, as of recent, factory down time is down by 22%, can yields have risen by 11%, investments are being made in predictive maintenance, automation and drone assisted field monitoring, mechanisation is being rolled out, not to replace people but to support operations in the face of labour shortages,” the President stated.

The President said although times have changed, and the world is moving, the role of the sugar industry to sustain lives, livelihoods and communities remain vital in Guyana today.

“Therefore, let no one dare tell you that sugar is a relic, that it is dead, that it is a burden, because they would not only be wrong, they would be dangerously mistaken. Sugar is still vital, especially to the rural economy, it directly, and indirectly supports about one-fifth of our population,” the President stated.

The President said not only does the sugar industry provides jobs, but it ensures the circulation of money in rural communities, sustains families and provide other social benefits.

Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Seepaul Narine, said hope is rising again in the industry.

“Today, there is hope once more in the sugar belt. Since 2020, the People’s Progressive Party government under the astute leadership of President Ali, has worked with resolve to revitalize the sugar industry, to bring relief to affected communities and to restore dignity to working class,” Narine stated.

Mr. Narine, whose union has been complaining about GUYSUCO’s failure to meet its quarterly production target also hailed the government’s intervention in the industry, stating that for the first time in its history, GUYSUCO and GAWU were able to ink a three year agreement for wages and other improvements for sugar workers.

“Comrades, in the sugar industry, we have seen real investments, the reopening of estates, training and reskilling initiatives and a renewed sense of purpose. We have seen jobs being created, jobs being rebuilt and faith being restored,” Mr. Narine stated.

Sugar production continues to be on the decline, with the lowest production rate recorded over the past year.