Blairmont Estate produces 72 tonnes sugar as 2nd crop production commences

With the commencement of the second crop at the Blairmont Estate, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) declared that the factory was able to produce 72 tonnes of sugar.

The Estate commenced its second crop last Friday and started grinding operations the following Tuesday. By Wednesday, July 20, 72 tonnes of sugar had been produced.

The second crop of 2022 is scheduled for approximately eight weeks with a target of 7899 metric tonnes.

One of the Estate’s main concerns has been the availability of labour and attendance. In this regard, the Estate’s management has been appealing to all employees to turn out in their numbers so that a regular supply of canes is available for continuous grinding in the factory.
“This will allow for the achievement of Blairmont’s weekly target of 925 tonnes of sugar, and the employees benefiting from extra earnings,” the GuySuCo release added.
The Estate said that much-needed resources were supplied to continue production, which included four tillage tractors. Additionally, the factory’s critical spares and parts were made available on a timely manner allowing for a smooth transition in the second crop of 2022.
“Finally, Blairmont Estate is re-engineering itself to become one of GuySuCo’s profit centres. The Corporation and its stakeholders are investing heavily in Blairmont and these investments will see Blairmont Estate maximising its production of bag and package sugar. Currently, extension work on the Sugar Bond is being undertaken, and approximately 48 per cent of the work has been completed.”
In recent weeks, shelves have been scarce of sugar, leading to concerns from the population about the apparent shortage. GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sasenarine Singh has alleged that the commodity is being smuggled outside the country. This was specifically the case with packaged sugar produced in the country.
A few days ago, the Uitvlugt Estate factory said it ramped up production to meet the demand of the local population.  When the Estate resumes sugar production at 1000 bags a day, the goal is to restart the sale of sugar to wholesalers. Moreover, it was noted that when drier weather prevails, the Uitvlugt factory can produce 2000 bags or close to 100 tonnes of sugar per day.
With interventions, sugar is now available at most markets through collaboration with the New Guyana Marketing Corporation.
Just last month, President Dr Irfaan Ali charged officials at the Corporation to improve efficiency and accelerate their timelines for mechanisation on the estates, in expressing the need for sweeping changes within the apparatus.