Gov’t procuring $196M in equipment to boost GuySuCo’s harvests

A total of $196.6 million will be spent on procuring a new steam turbine and new land levelling equipment for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

The contracts for the procurement of these equipment were signed on Tuesday at the Ministry of Agriculture’s boardroom at Bourda, Georgetown.

General Equipment Guyana Limited will supply and deliver two complete sets of land levelling equipment at a cost of $143.1 million. According to information provided by the ministry, these equipment will contribute to the modification of lands at the Albion estate in Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne).

The primary focus of using these equipment, the ministry said, is to create layouts that will favour mechanical harvesting and improve the current harvest capacity at the estate.

Triveni Turbine has also inked a contract worth $53.4 million to supply a single stage steam turbine for GuySuCo’s Uitvlugt factory on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD).

Providing brief remarks, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha said that the ministry is focused on providing the necessary equipment to improve agricultural production in Guyana. This is particularly important, he said, since Guyana is now leading the Caribbean’s food security agenda.

Meanwhile, the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary – Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ ADA), which focuses heavily on rice production, is set to receive a new super long reach hydraulic excavator and a new tractor.

Farm Supplies Limited was awarded a $71.7 million contract to supply, deliver and test the excavator; this machine is to help rehabilitate water channels and improve drainage and irrigation works.

Guyana Tractor and Equipment was awarded the $19.2 million contract to supply, deliver and test tractors needed for cultivation in the area.