The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) takes note of the press statement from Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) titled “GUYSUCO SETS THE RECORDS STRAIGHT”. The elaborate statement from the state-dependent Corporation appeared as a center-spread full-coloured advertisement in the (Sunday) July 10, 2022, editions of the Guyana Chronicle, Guyana Times, and Stabroek News. The Corporation’s attempt to give prominence to its statement must have come at some costs, quite possibly at the expense of other important obligations.
In our examination of the statement, we noticed that the Union and its representative on GuySuCo’s Board received special attention in relation to procurement and decision-making. Who knows what were the GuySuCo’s motivation/s? Our Union has full confidence that any decision made by its member will result in benefit to Guyanese and Guyana. In addition, the Union has always been forthright and honest in its assessment of the sugar company’s performance and leadership and will continue to do so without fear or favour.
Procurement of Articulated Tractors
A substantial section of GuySuCo’s missive focused on procurement of articulated tractors to undertake mechanical tillage operations and the touted impact those tractors would have on low production and productivity levels. The statement pointed out that the Union’s representative “played a leading role” in the procurement of tractors. This statement, in our view, is a desperate attempt to create a perception that the Union’s representative was directly involved in purchase of articulated tractors, which is now subjected to intense debates. In trying to absolve itself from the current debates, the Corporation deliberately chooses to omit other pertinent facts associated with GuySuCo’s Procurement Committee recommendations.
We are aware that deliberations of the Corporation’s Procurement Committee remain confidential and, therefore, to disclose content of those discussions which came to our hand would be unethical and improper. Nonetheless, we understand that the Committee, comprising several board members, extensively and intensively debated purchase of articulated tractors. These debates eventuated on a course of action that advised on purchase of a small quantity of tractors against a larger quantity recommended by the Executive Management. The Committee’s intent, from what we gather is to allow the type of tractors to be evaluated within Guyana’s context before making further decisions on purchase. It appears to us that the Procurement Committee was prudent in its decision-making
Absence of Tillage
The Corporation bemoaned an absence of tillage arising from the absence of a suitable fleet of tillage tractors. But the data supplied by the GuySuCo seems to paint a different narrative. For instance:
- At Albion, the tillage tractor fleet was available 72.8% of the 46 available opportunity days during the 2021 second crop
- BUT The fleet was only utilized 37.1% of the time
- It informs that the fleet though available was not operable for substantial periods of time
- Notwithstanding the operational deficit, the estate realised 78.4% of its tillage target
- Had utilization been improved, it is fair to conclude that the tillage target could HAVEN beEN realised and surpassed
Looking at the data, from the other estates, the same yardstick could be utilized. It then begs the question as to whether the adequacy of tillage tractors is really the sole issue for poor production.
2022 Production Levels
The Corporation lamented the impact of 2021 floods and failure of the gear at Uitvlugt Estate as the reasons for its 2022 first crop production, which yielded a historical low of just over 13,000 tonnes sugar. GuySuCo asserted “…that these scientific facts were lost on the Sugar Unions…”. From this pronouncement, it appears, that either Corporation is out at sea on its operations, or it seeks to hoodwink and mislead the nation.
In determining its production target, the Corporation would evaluate the quantity and quality of canes within each field it intends to harvest. These evaluations are done on a field-by-field basis and aggregated to estates and industry targets before harvesting commences. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that the many ‘sugar professionals and experts’ in the Corporation must have recognized the condition of fields and formulated an estimate that is realistic and attainable for 1st crop 2022. The reality is the targets set by the ‘sugar professionals and experts’ were not achieved. To compensate for the inaccurate estimate, the Corporation resorted to harvesting of immature canes slated for second crop 2022 harvest at Albion and Blairmont Estates.
In relation to Uitvlugt Estate, the ‘sugar professionals and experts’ were at work again. We learnt that they were well aware of the mill turbine gear condition and damage sustained in the latter part of 2021. The ‘sugar professionals and experts’ advised on welding repairs against procurement of a new gear to make the unit operable for first crop 2022. The nation is aware of the fiasco that ensued where the Estate had to abandon its first crop because the welded and locally fabricated gear failed. If a new gear was ordered when the damage was observed, the aborted first crop or at least part of it could have been salvaged.
Industry’s Challenges
GuySuCo continues to highlight tillage as a major obstacle in improving production and contends that aged machines are unable to complete tasks. According to the statement, the machines were “fully depreciated” and “aged 8 – 12 years”. GuySuCo further argues that the aged machines contributed to ratooned canes as old as 12 years. Interestingly, despite the age of the machines average cane yield data was improving before a sudden precipitous decline emerged.
The data, in our view, demonstrates that tillage is not the only challenge. But in our view more serious agronomic issues need to be addressed in addition to tillage. We ask whether the ‘professionals’ are giving these issues the attention they require.
Reduction in Cultivation
Recently the GAWU has learnt the industry has taken a decision to temporarily abandon lands which have canes higher than five (5) years old. We have learnt that at Albion some 3,080 hectares equivalent to approximately one-third of the cultivation was abandoned. At Blairmont, it is said a similar proportion was also abandoned. It is said these major decisions affecting production and productivity were taken without the consent or knowledge of the Board of Directors. Such decisions have major implications for production and productivity, but it is unclear what factor/s informed the decision-making. With GuySuCo’s own admission on the problems associated with tillage, it will be interesting to know what plans the Company has to bring those abandoned lands back into the cultivation, failing which these estates will permanently have a significant amount of lands unavailable for cane cultivation,
We learnt that the decision to abandon cane fields came against the background of lower cane productivity. Again, the data we obtained does not support this contention. Data obtained for the recently concluded 2022 first crop indicated that fifth ratoon and older canes were yielding 34 tonnes cane per hectare (tch) while 4th ratoon canes are yielding 32 tch. With such yields, it is logical for anyone to question the rationale of abandonment. Additionally, we understand that the field abandonment programme has taken place in a haphazard manner. Usually when fields are abandoned, they are flooded. This assists in stemming the proliferation of weeds and grass as well as preventing an upsurge in rodents.
We have recently learnt that estates are confronting a major upsurge in rodents which are known to inflict significant damages on young canes. A source has informed GAWU that it caused the Corporation not too long ago to approve an emergency purchase of rodenticide to combat the situation.
Conclusion
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo sounded the need for the strengthening of the GuySuCo management some months ago. Given recent events and outcomes from guidance emanating from the ‘sugar professionals and experts’ we believe there is an immediate need to strengthen management. The industry desperately needs requisite know-how and skills.
GAWU’s examination of the statement reveals several troubling issues which the GuySuCo has not addressed. For us, maybe it is that the GuySuCo is incapable of recognizing these problems or deliberately places it on sidelines while it focuses on the so-called ‘the big idea’. It seems as well those apparently share different viewpoints are treated with disdain being labelled the ‘vocal minority’, the ‘sugar charlatans’, and the ‘armchair prognosticators’. Though we are unaware to whom the Corporation refers we believe this posture will not be helpful to the industry.
Our Union remains a vested stakeholder interested in the success of the sugar industry. We are heartened by the commitment of President Irfaan Ali who at the Enmore Martyrs observances pledged to work alongside the GAWU and others to return the sugar industry to viability. We remain committed to such engagements and believe collaboration can have a positive impact.
