A man looking for a consulting deal.  The EU no longer needs or wants ACP sugar so who will buy sugar from Guyana?  Our costs are way above world prices.

Who needs Consultants when you have PNC and their FILTH HEADs!!!!!!!!!

In restructuring sugar industry, Guyana can learn from Trinidad’s mistakes, successes –consultant

November 22,2017

full article

In restructuring its sugar industry, Guyana has the advantage of being able to learn from the mistakes and successes of those Caribbean territories that have already completed the process, according to consultant Sharma Lalla.

Lalla, who was the last Chief Executive Officer of the Trinidadian Sugar Company, Caroni 1975 Limited, was in Guyana as part of a team representing one of the three international accounting firms bidding to provide their services to the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) responsible for the divestment and privatisation of some of GuySuCo’s assets.

In an exclusive interview with Stabroek News, he offered his personal opinion on the options available to Guyana going forward.

“I speak as someone who had the experience of winding down a sugar industry and also building a new agricultural diversification company,” Lalla explained. After serving as CEO of Caroni 75 from 1999 to 2001, he returned to the sector as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Caroni Green Limited in 2015.

According to Lalla, hindsight has showed him that Trinidad and Tobago made two big mistakes when it closed the sugar industry—it assumed that sugar workers could become general agricultural workers and it failed to conduct a comprehensive market analysis of diversification options.

“You have to do research and develop based on what the market de-mands. Don’t assume that a sugar cane worker is a general agricultural worker and be prepared to offer him the training and technical support he will need. Every single crop has its own agronomical processes,” Lalla explained.

He noted that 14 years after the sugar industry was wound up in Trinidad, workers are still waiting on the promised residential and farm lands. He stressed that the infrastructural work needed for both provisions was underestimated and has not yet been completed.

To avoid this pitfall, Lalla said Guyana needs to craft a strategic agricultural plan. “If I had a clean slate, I would do a strategic agricultural plan. I would identify what areas are better to plant which crop. This will also be informed by the market demand. Everything has to be market-driven. I would train the people.  I would have a pilot project to ensure commercial viability of each crop, I would put in place a network of technical support. I would negotiate with insurance companies and get them crop insurance. We did none of that, we left them on their own so when they [suffered] loss, they failed,” he explained.

His emphasis on market data is a result of his own experience with the cultivation of hot peppers for export to the North American market.

Lalla explained that within two months of him becoming CEO of Caroni Green Limited, a situation developed where the primary supplier of hot peppers to the US, the Dominican Republic, had a pest infestation and its product was banned. “I stopped everything and jumped on that opportunity. We worked day and night to develop the right agronomic practices for that crop and at the end of the day we were exporting more than 95% of what we produced,” he explained.

This meant a lot to the Trinidadian economy, he noted, as not only were they earning foreign exchange but they were also conserving foreign exchange since those companies producing condiments no longer had to import pepper.

He stressed that these simple lessons can make in big difference as Guyana moves to privatise and diversify its agricultural sector. “Why keep making the same mistakes someone else made already?” he asked.

caribny posted:

A man looking for a consulting deal.  The EU no longer needs or wants ACP sugar so who will buy sugar from Guyana?  Our costs are way above world prices.

Other than your racist rants, you do make some intelligent observations.So tell me, if sugar and rice are DEAD, what other profitable industry should the government or people invest . Remember, you still have half the population over 45 years old, too old for retraining,and lack of basic education, how can you still that generation in the workforce. It is just a question.

Rice is the future for Guyana.  Guysuco can be a powerhouse corporation if it diversified into products that Guyanese want.

kp posted:

 

Other than your racist rants, you do make some intelligent observations.So tell me, if sugar and rice are DEAD, what other profitable industry should the government or people invest . Remember, you still have half the population over 45 years old, too old for retraining,and lack of basic education, how can you still that generation in the workforce. It is just a question.

I never said rice is dead.   If Guyana doesn't improve its productivity it will be, but ample markets exist for rice in the Americas and most of this rice comes from Asia, so if Guyana cannot compete with producers THOUSANDS of miles away then it is our fault!

I see so folks can whine all day about the "oppression of the poor Indian" by these terrible blacks but when I suggest that the Indian has been EQUALLY oppressive that becomes racist.

Its this complete Indocentric perspective which is the #! reason why Guyana is in the miasma that it is in.  Elements of the black population concede that the treatment of Indians hasn't been always been fair and these same people remain RESPECTED by Afro Guyanese and are NOT called traitors for expressing this view.

We see SILENCE from so called moderate Indians.  They either agree with the Indo radicals or they just don't care less.  Either damaging in terms of how non Indians see Indians.  In fact the socalled moderate Indians spend more time screaming that I am a racist rather than tending to the racists in their group.

You see this is the double standards of which I speak.  Guyana finds itself with two loss making companies.  Guymine where the bulk of the workers were blacks and located in areas where bauxite was the sole source of employment. Guysuco where the bulk of the workers are Indians and there are alternative employment opportunities.

When Guymine fired 80% of the bauxite workers the only response from Indians was "dem blackman deserve it, blackman lazy".  When the subsequent economic collapse of the bauxite areas led to residents protesting when the subsidy for electricity was to be removed, Indians celebrated when blacks were shot in cold blood.  More screams of "blackman lazy and ungrateful" emanating from these quarters.

When we blacks protest against these attitudes we are called racists.  Where are the Indians protesting against these attitudes.  Given the absence pardon us for concluding that this thinking is that of the majority of the Indian population, some being quieter on this while others being more openly blatant.  And the use of "PNC" fooling no one.

Accept this fact.  The attitude of Indians towards the mainly black bauxite workers has set a precedent for what will now happen to the mainly Indian sugar workers.  When D2 warned people here that such Indocentric attitudes will hurt Indians he was also called an anti Indian racist. 

At least 10 years ago Guyana was warned to transition away from a dependence on the EU for subsidized prices and guaranteed access for its sugar.  "Fake doctor" went on a screaming rampage ranting about colonialism and how people were dragged from India to cut cane in Guyana.  Implying that the UK had an obligation to take care of this people ad infinitum.

Had the PPP at that time began a gradual transition away from bulk sugar for the EU to branded sugar for local and CARICOM markets and "industrial" sugar/molasses for the assorted CARICOM agro industrial industries.  Had they then transitioned the excess lands to other forms of agriculture, taking into account  CARICOM's US$5 TRILLION food bill.  We would not be in this mess.

Guyana is a poor country.  It cannot continue to bail out an industry which at most has another 5 years to exist.  What of when EU says no thank you and no longer buys bulk sugar from Guyana?  This continued injection into a failng industry is a WASTE of funds.

But folks can continue to follow "Mr. Super Indian" fake doctor as he leads them off a cliff.  Super Indian has yet to tell his people that within the next 5 years there will be few buyers for Guyanese sugar at prices that can sustain the industry in Guyana!

Carib what do you think of eel export from Guyana to Japan.  It is big business in the USA right now.

Prashad posted:

Carib what do you think of eel export from Guyana to Japan.  It is big business in the USA right now.

Do we have the type of eels that Japan wants?

Why not be humble.  CARICOM imports US$5 trillion from the USA.  Even Guyanese, who once boasted of being semi self sufficient in foods, now adapting a sweet tooth for American junk.  All the obesity and health problems now ensuing. 

All one needs to do is to look at Guyanese today compared with how we looked in the 60s.  People who were considered fat then now will be seeing as OK. Huge specimens of humanity now roaming the streets. Had such elements been seen in the 60s people would have been convinced that they were invaders from space.  250lb females are no longer unusual in the Caribbean, this mainly due to our appetite for processed and genetically altered American food.

That is a market sitting right under our noses.  That plus the millions of tourists who visited the Caribbean and are angered when they see that frozen American food and more junk poured out of a tin is what they are eating when they visit.

It isn't a far stretch to get Guyanese farmers into semi organic farming, which is becoming more popular. 

caribny posted:

It isn't a far stretch to get Guyanese farmers into semi organic farming, which is becoming more popular. 

Good for you, now go get them blacks in Linden, Agricola and Buxton to become organic farmers. In fact you can lend them startup money. It is blackman time now, let them show a good example by leading this effort. 

Drugb posted:

caribny posted:

It isn't a far stretch to get Guyanese farmers into semi organic farming, which is becoming more popular. 

Good for you, now go get them blacks in Linden, Agricola and Buxton to become organic farmers. In fact you can lend them startup money. It is blackman time now, let them show a good example by leading this effort. 

You will note that I said GUYANESE farmers. And in fact there are black Guyanese farmers, many living in the same places that you name.

Now return to your Indo KKK hovel and cry!  The only concern that you should have about anyone's money should be yours. My money is mine and I can do as I wish with it.

Tell your "nonracist" millionaire family back in Guyana to invest in these villages if the plight of these people so concerns you.

Caribny, thanks for being a pallbearer for the sugar coffin , but still you did not answer the question, What would you choose to  replace sugar,what employment you have to offer the thousands of laid off sugar workers, most of these people are poor labourers, living pay cheques to pay stubs. The present government cannot afford the ills of mass  unemployment, increase crime,increase suicide,mental and medical problems, school drop outs etc,. Don't fool yourself sugar employs Blacks, many in the factory, office,shipping and so on.I lived on a sugar Estate for many years, and worked for a short while.

caribny posted:

Drugb posted:

caribny posted:

It isn't a far stretch to get Guyanese farmers into semi organic farming, which is becoming more popular. 

Good for you, now go get them blacks in Linden, Agricola and Buxton to become organic farmers. In fact you can lend them startup money. It is blackman time now, let them show a good example by leading this effort. 

You will note that I said GUYANESE farmers. And in fact there are black Guyanese farmers, many living in the same places that you name.

Now return to your Indo KKK hovel and cry!  The only concern that you should have about anyone's money should be yours. My money is mine and I can do as I wish with it.

Tell your "nonracist" millionaire family back in Guyana to invest in these villages if the plight of these people so concerns you.

We know who you mean when you say farmer. Black farmers are a dying specie as they prefer civil servant sit down job while the Indos have to put their shoulders to the plow. 

Drugb posted:

you.

We know who you mean when you say farmer. Black farmers are a dying specie as they prefer civil servant sit down job while the Indos have to put their shoulders to the plow. 

No its the racist lout that you are who thinks that all blacks do is civil service work. While Indians dominate the farming sector blacks, mixed and Amerindians also farm.

Blacks and black identified mixed people are 40-45% of the labor force.  Even if every single civil servant came from this group the vast majority of them will not be in the civil service.  They do all sorts of things.......including farm.

And yes I didn't miss your usual "blackman lazy" screams.  You IndoKKK try to hide your hatred of blacks by being subtle but the stench of your bigotry can be smelt miles away.

caribny posted:

Drugb posted:

you.

We know who you mean when you say farmer. Black farmers are a dying specie as they prefer civil servant sit down job while the Indos have to put their shoulders to the plow. 

No its the racist lout that you are who thinks that all blacks do is civil service work. While Indians dominate the farming sector blacks, mixed and Amerindians also farm.

Blacks and black identified mixed people are 40-45% of the labor force.  Even if every single civil servant came from this group the vast majority of them will not be in the civil service.  They do all sorts of things.......including farm.

And yes I didn't miss your usual "blackman lazy" screams.  You IndoKKK try to hide your hatred of blacks by being subtle but the stench of your bigotry can be smelt miles away.

Lies as usual. I can count the # of black farmers on my two hands in Guyana, not including kitchen garden. 

Drugb posted:

 

Lies as usual. I can count the # of black farmers on my two hands in Guyana, not including kitchen garden. 

So what then do the majority of blacks who do NOT work for the civil service do?  

Note that at least 30% of the black population lives in rural areas.