Pres. Ali invites GAWU to manage sugar estates

Jun 18, 2026 News

…as govt. pushes reform of sector

(Kaieteur News) – As the government continues to hunt strategies to ensure the long-term survival of the sugar industry, President Irfaan Ali has called on the Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) to manage one of the sugar estates in the country.

In his address at the commemorations of the 78^th anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs on Tuesday, the head-of-state said the government is committed to reviving the industry and uplifting the lives of workers.

“Let me also say this clearly, the responsibility for reviving the sugar industry does not rest with management alone. It rests with all of us, because sugar does not only support sugar workers, sugar supports the entire community, the markets, the stores, it supports an entire ecosystem,” he said.

Pres. Ali invites GAWU to manage sugar estates

President Irfaan Ali

Noting that the government has invited proposals for the revival of sugar estate, like the one at Skeldon, he stated that they are also extending an invite to the Union.

“If you would like to take up the mantle of management, and to take one of the estates and make it a model, we give you that challenge openly. Take one of the estates and to manage it, we give you that opportunity, we give you that opportunity with the workers so then we can have different models. We invite you to be part of the management also, because that is what good, responsible government does,” he said on Tuesday.

Adding that the government will work with them, he said, “Do not shy away from the opportunity.”

The president in his remarks, shared that sugar is a heritage industry. For generations, he noted that it has been the backbone of the country’s rural economy, it has sustained villages, it has supported families, it has created communities, and despite the challenges it faces today, it continues to play a vital role in national life.

Expressing that he is not pleased with the failure of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to consistently achieve the production target, the president said he has read the Riot Act to management, and demanded greater accountability.

“I’ve demanded greater efficiency. I’ve demanded better results. I’ve also asked the union to be a better partner, not to strike unnecessarily,” he stated.

He also said that his government’s investment must bring returns, and at the level of the estates, changes will be made because they are necessary for the investments they are making. “We don’t shy away, and yes, technical expertise will come in, and yes, we are looking at proposals for the reinvestment in Skeldon Estate, but we are also looking at opportunities to lift the workers from one level to the next level, and if we have to deploy a system of support through public policy to lift the workers from one level to the next level with a direct conversation with the worker with retraining and retooling, reorganising, repositioning, restrategising, reorienting. You can rest assured the People’s Progressive Party will do it,” he assured.

He also mentioned that while some may have advocated for closing the sugar industry, which meant they are effectively advocating economic devastation for large section of rural Guyana, he added that his government will continue to support the industry.

President Ali said his government is on a path to finding variations of formula that would ensure the long-term survival of the industry. “We have to look to a plan that will strengthen the industry, optimise production, reduce cost of production, while at the same time looking at newer areas for growth and development within the sugar plantation,” he disclosed.

Noting that they are modernising the factories, he said that GuySuCo is pursuing an aggressive mechanisation programme, and already, approximately 44% of its lands have been converted for mechanical harvesting. At the same time, drone technology is being deployed for crop surveillance and for the application of chemicals and fertilisers.

The modernisation of the sugar industry, he pointed out is necessary for its survival, resilience, and sustainability.

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Enmore Martyrs, GAWU, Irfaan Ali, Sugar Estates

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