Rice sector records significant year
- Sawh reports
Guyana Chronicle
April 20, 2004
MINISTER of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock and acting Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Satyadeow Sawh says last year was significant for the rice industry, achieving a 23% increase in production over 2002.
Yields increased by three bags of paddy per hectare and exports were up by 4%, he reported during the debate on the National Budget last week as he made a presentation on the achievements and projections of the agricultural sector.
The minister informed the National Assembly that through the intervention of the government, loans and advances to the rice sector were reduced by 46% while loans and advances for paddy production decreased from $4.04 billion to $1.8 billion between January and October last year.
For rice milling this was reduced from $6.2 billion to $3.7 billion.
During this year which has been designated the `International Year of Rice’, Sawh said several initiatives will be taken to further boost the rice industry.
These include intensifying efforts to expand markets in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), continuing research efforts and developing seed processing facilities in Black Bush Polder, Berbice, to stimulate growth, use of high quality seed and adequate inputs by 70% of growers.
Integrated and sustainable research and extension activities will also be fostered, he said.
In addition, the industry will benefit from a 11.7M Euros grant from the European Union (EU) to enhance competitiveness of the local rice industry.
Sawh said the sugar industry produced below target for last year due to extended dry periods in the latter half of 2002 and the first crop last year resulting in the production of 302,000 tonnes of sugar, compared to 331,000 tonnes in 2002.
However, he noted that sales showed a steady increase, particularly in the CARICOM market, exceeding 87,000 tonnes.
`Demerara Gold’ sugar, launched last year, has found steady acceptance as a quality product, he added.
Sugar production this year is projected at 340,000 tonnes and sales to the CARICOM market expected to top 100,000 tonnes for the first time, Sawh reported, adding that focus during the year will be on cost reductions and continuation of the Agricultural Improvement Plan (AIP).
It is also anticipated the strength of the Euro against the US dollar will ensure that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) returns to profitability.
The construction of the new Skeldon factory should begin in the second half of this year and is expected to be completed in 2007, while the corporation’s financial computer system will be replaced in the year as part of the upgrading of its information systems, the minister reported.