Chicken demand surges; Govt considering temporary importation

…engages duck farmers on expanding production

In light of complaints by poultry farmers of an apparent chicken shortage in the country, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha says he has yet to decide whether to grant permission for temporary importation to meet growing local demands.
Last week, representatives from the Guyana Poultry Producers Association (GPPA) met with the Agriculture Minister to discuss current developments within the sector. Highlighting market trends showing a decline in production levels coupled with an increase in demand for chicken, the GPPA officials sought the Government’s assistance in facilitating the temporary importation of chicken to help meet market demand.
However, Mustapha told reporters on the side-lines of an event on Thursday that he has yet to decide on the request.
“The Poultry Producers Association came and met with me. They told me that the demand for chicken is very high now in the country. Our production level would not be able to withstand that for the next four weeks, and they’ve asked me for them to be allowed to import some chicken. I’m looking at that still. I’ve not made a decision on that fully as yet,” Mustapha stated.
According to the Minister, any decision will balance the interests of all stakeholders, including consumers and poultry producers, as well as the long-term sustainability of the industry. In fact, he has ordered an assessment of the current supplies in the local industry before deciding on the matter.
During the July 28 engagement, the GPPA representatives had noted that the temporary importation of chicken would assist in maintaining stable market prices during the period of reduced supply and assured that once local production returns to normal levels, there would be no need for continued imports.
However, the Agriculture Minister pointed out to reporters that despite these complaints of shortage, the Government has recently launched a project to increase poultry production across the country.
“Over the last few weeks, we have ramped up chicken production across Guyana. We have now five tunnel-ventilated fences that are operable by young people,” he stated.
Tunnel-ventilated poultry project
The Tunnel-Ventilated Poultry Programme, conceptualised by President Dr Irfaan Ali, is part of the Government’s flagship Agriculture Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme (AIEP). The project aims to encourage young professionals to embrace technology-driven agriculture and expand poultry production through modern, climate-controlled farming systems.
Only last month, on July 15, one of the state-of-the-art Tunnel-Ventilated Poultry Pen Projects was commissioned at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.
While delivering remarks at the event, Minister Mustapha said the project is another demonstration of the Government’s long-term vision for transforming agriculture into a modern, technology-driven sector.
“Guyana is transitioning from a country that grows food to a nation that designs and manages modern agricultural ecosystems. We are positioning our livestock sector to be efficient, sustainable, and scalable to levels never before seen in Caricom,” the Minister had stated.
The Tunnel Ventilated Pens Project represents an investment of more than GY$1 billion in infrastructure, equipment, and training and has expanded the AIEP across Regions Three, Four, and Five. The project comprises five state-of-the-art poultry facilities located at Mon Repos, Cornelia Ida, and Onverwagt, all of which have been completed and are currently stocked with birds that are performing exceptionally well.
Designed to international poultry production standards, each tunnel-ventilated pen accommodates between 20,000 and 45,000 birds, with broilers reaching market weight in just five to six weeks. The facilities utilise controlled-environment technology that enhances production efficiency while improving flock health and overall performance.
“These are the programmes that we’re bringing back for young people to have opportunities… We have hundreds, if not thousands, of young people now earning their living from agriculture… We have the tunnel-ventilated pens – 40,000 birds. Every six weeks, young people can make a profit between nine and 15 million dollars. And I’m hoping that when the entire programme comes on, Guyana will not only be self-sufficient for consumption but that we’ll also be a net exporter,” Mustapha told reporters on Thursday.
Engaging duck farmers
Meanwhile, even as he seeks to address the chicken woes, the Agriculture Minister on Thursday met with local duck farmers to discuss measures aimed at expanding production.
During the engagement, Mustapha assured that systems are being put in place to expand capacity at the Guyana Livestock Development Authority’s (GLDA) hatchery as part of efforts to support greater production nationwide.
The Minister listened to the concerns raised by the farmers and assured them that the Agriculture Ministry, through the GLDA, would work to implement systems and interventions to address the issues identified.
He further reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working closely with stakeholders to strengthen the livestock sector and create an enabling environment for increased production, improved productivity and greater investment in the industry.
Also participating in the meeting were the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Chairman of the GLDA Board of Directors, Dhaneshwar Deonarine; Chief Executive Officer of the GLDA, Dr Dwight Waldron; and other technical officers from the Authority.