Agriculture Ministry orders probe in sugar industry in Guyana

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Guyana government is very disturbed about the poor sugar production, which is seriously affecting the economy of the country, and as a result the Agriculture Ministry has set up a Commission of Inquiry to ascertain the reasons for the rapid decline during the past four years.

The probe will look at all aspects of sugar cane growth, ranging from land management, agronomy, soil, fertilizer, and weed killers, among other things.

Last weekend, the Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud summoned a meeting of top personnel of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO), including the Chairman, Administrative Managers, Field and Factory Managers, to discuss the situation, which he considered as grave.

The Commission, which will be headed by Vickram Oodit, Chairman of Corporations Board, comprises two Representatives from GUYSUCO and two from the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU).

Oodit said that he will submit a report to Government within six weeks.

Sugar is one of the main revenue earners for Guyana and the country has markets with several overseas countries.
source:caribbeannetnews