On Thursday at Albion, President Dr. Irfaan Ali reaffirmed his government’s unwavering dedication to revitalizing and expanding Guyana’s sugar industry.
Speaking directly to sugar workers, President Ali highlighted the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)’s commitment to fulfilling its promises. “When we commit, we deliver,” he asserted. He emphasized the government’s intentions to invest in both maintaining and growing the sugar sector.
This visit was aimed at engaging with workers, gathering their insights, and discussing strategies for the future of sugar production. President Ali expressed his desire to foster collaboration and innovation in the sector to enhance livelihoods and add value.
A significant focus was placed on income diversification for sugar workers. He posed the question: “How do we diversify your income base?” stressing the importance of strategic planning for economic resilience.
In light of challenges like labor shortages, he mentioned the government’s plans for mechanization combined with worker participation, proposing a model where workers could manage planting and harvesting, utilizing both manual and mechanized methods for improved productivity.
Furthermore, President Ali discussed expanding workers’ roles in other operational areas such as canal cleaning and irrigation, and introduced technology-driven farming approaches to diversify income sources.
He concluded by stressing the need for forward-thinking and partnership between the government and workers, assuring that joint investments could bolster financial stability within families in the industry. Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha echoed these sentiments, underscoring the government’s commitment to modernizing and improving the efficiency of the sugar industry.
Source: guyanachronicle.com
