While Guyana is already self-sufficient in poultry meat production, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha explained that food demand has increased significantly because of the rapid expansion of the oil and gas and hospitality sectors.
Tunnel-ventilated poultry farming is a mechanical climate-control system where a constant, high-speed stream of fresh air is drawn through a poultry house.
Air enters at one end, flows longitudinally over the birds, and is exhausted by heavy-duty fans at the opposite end, creating a ‘wind-chill’ effect to prevent heat stress.
Each of the pens that will come on stream has the capacity to produce approximately 40,000 birds every six weeks, with mortality rates estimated at between one and two per cent.
Persons interested will form groups of approximately 40 members, with each project estimated to cost around $160 million.
The participating groups would access approximately $40 million in financing through the banking sector, while the government would provide additional support. The projects are expected to generate annual profits of at least $61 million after expenses.
Minister Mustapha stated that persons already employed do not have to leave their jobs to be a part of the initiative.
“We will work with the groups, train them and help them through the process. Most of the systems will be automated,” he noted during a recent engagement with farmers in Region Two.
“Marketing is easy. Sometimes in one day, all your birds could sell out,” the agriculture minister stated.
According to the minister, there is still a perception among many young people that agriculture is only for senior people or persons without an education, and the government is working to change that mindset. (Department of Public Information)
