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ONE AND ONE IS ELEVEN

Jan 04, 2011 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

Two important announcements were made by the Minister of Agriculture during his end of year press conference. The first related to the introduction of new genetic breeds and varieties into the sector, while the second was the admission that the sugar corporation would have to move rapidly towards increased mechanisation given the shortage of labour.
What is disturbing about the approach taken in respect of the sugar corporation is that it seems as if the government is accepting, wholesale, the analysis proffered by the management of the sugar company as to the causes of the decline in sugar production.  The union on the other hand is saying that the sugar workers should not be made scapegoats.
The union has made a very compelling case that the problems of the industry are deep-seated and cannot be solely laid at the feet of the workers. Unfortunately, the relationship between the union and the government is fractious and this is not going to aid in arriving at a consensus as to what needs to be done to avoid the continuing decline of the sugar industry.
Intuitively it is obvious that the problems facing the sugar industry go beyond the workers.  In 2009, the blame was showered on the weather and the fact that the private farmers had not come on stream. This year the poor turnout of field operators is shouldering the bulk of the blame for the dismal performance within the industry. Little mention is being made about the effects of the problems of the Skeldon Factory and how this has affected production.
It would be in the interest of all parties concerned to sit down and hammer out an agreement that would allow for an independent assessment as to the real cause of the problems that the industry faces because if the analysis of the government is wrong, then it means that the thrust towards rapid mechanisation over the next few years may be unnecessary.
It will also be costly. It is not going to be cheap, especially for a cash-strapped corporation— to increase mechanisation even in a phased way as has been suggested. It is not going to be cheap to purchase harvesters to compensate for the shortfall in labour, a shortfall that is expected to get worse.
Mechanisation will also be a timely process since the beds need to be reconfigured to allow the machines to operate. Thus mechanisation cannot be a short-term remedy. Tactical manoeuvers such as threatening is also going to exacerbate relations between the union and the corporation.
The logical approach therefore is to work towards an agreement between both sides so that the corporation can obtain increased production and the workers enjoy greater incentives to work. The best way for this to happen is for both sides to agree to a truce provided that an independent review of the problems this year is carried out.
This will allow for an informed assessment that would then allow for tweaking of the turnaround plan.
The second major announcement this week was that the Ministry of Agriculture would be continuing with the introduction of new varieties and stock. If there is any thing that will create a revolution in agricultural production it is the introduction of high yielding crop varieties and new breeds of livestock.
The world is running ahead with us. Genetically modified crops are being extensively used in many countries. We are far behind the rest of the world and if we are not careful, some of our neighbouring countries will take the lead in agricultural production and leave is losing our competitive edge.
The Minister’s announcement is therefore welcome but it must be understood that farmers need greater orientation in dealing with new varieties and breeds. The process needs to be hastened since many farmers are ill-prepared to upgrade their farm practices and this is not how a progressive agricultural sector is built.
The Grow More Food Campaign seems to have faded into the background. With new varieties and new breeds, the Ministry would have no need for any such campaigns in the future. The introduction of genetically modified crops and new breeds of livestock will revolutionise agriculture and allow Guyana to finally feed the rest of the Caribbean.

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