Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud on Monday met with representatives of the Guyana Poultry Producers’ Association to discuss development plans for 2011 to ensure that the livestock sector could meet growing demands and possibly exports.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the plan entails the ministry and the Association collaborating to monitor production to ensure that there is an adequate supply of chicken on the market, as is currently the case after several years of shortfall. Persaud said government is currently exploring markets in Trinidad and Suriname that will allow producers access to external markets.
The Association welcomed the initiative, saying that it can meet local and overseas demand. However, it said it is concerned about the non-vaccination of baby chicks which results in them experiencing stunted growth.
According to the Association in July 2009, buying chicken from hatcheries was costly however, with the glut currently on the market, sales are expected to decrease. It also requested an independent body to be formed to investigate the issue of non-vaccination of broiler chicks.
Meanwhile Persaud said that as the demand for rice increases, due to the shortfall on the world market, requests have been made for Guyana to support other countries apart from Venezuela. However, he has requested that exports be reduced in order to meet local demand.
GINA said CEO at the Guyana Livestock Development Authority Dindyal Permaul also attended the meeting.
