Budget 2025: $13.6B allocated for GuySuCo to further rehabilitate sugar industry
The Government of Guyana has earmarked $13.6 billion in the 2025 National Budget for the rehabilitation of the sugar industry.
During his presentation, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, highlighted the impact of the closure of three sugar estates under the APNU+AFC Administration, which he described as a “politically motivated destruction of the sugar industry.”
He highlighted the severe socioeconomic consequences, including the displacement and impoverishment of over 7,000 direct employees, 40,000 indirect workers, and their families.
“The closure abandoned $2.5 billion in standing canes and arable cultivation areas, devastating the socioeconomic fabric of dependent communities,” Dr. Singh stated.
Since returning to office, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has implemented several strategy to rebuild and revitalise the sugar industry. In 2024, the government allocated $15.5 billion to support the industry, focusing on acquiring cane harvesters, converting land, rehabilitating critical infrastructure, and enhancing packaging capacity.
Work also progressed on the expansion of the Albion packaging plant.The $13.6 billion allocation for 2025 will continue these rehabilitation efforts, with a focus on converting an additional 3,000 hectares of land to support mechanization.
Also, the government plans to acquire more field equipment and rehabilitating field infrastructure while constructing over 17 kilometres of all-weather roads to improve industry accessibility.
“These investments are critical to ensuring the long-term viability of the sugar industry and rekindling hope for the thousands of workers and communities dependent on this sector,” Dr. Singh stated.
