DDL, Agri Ministry partner for advancement of dairy sector

As part of efforts to reduce the high import bill of dairy products, the Agriculture Ministry and Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) are considering the implementation of a private/public partnership (PPP) to develop the local dairy industry to provide milk and dairy products.
This was among the decisions taken on Wednesday when Agriculture Minister Noel Holder and a team from his Ministry toured the operations of DDL at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, during which there were wide-ranging discussions with a team from the local beverage giant headed by its Chairman, Komal Samaroo.
The meeting also viewed a presentation by a visiting team of personnel from Tetra Pak, a Swiss headquartered company with which DDL is currently finalising an

agreement for the design and supply of a new packaging plant to be installed next year at Diamond. The presentation also included a system for the effective collection of fresh milk from dairy farmers.
During the meeting, Minister Holder indicated that Guyana’s milk and milk product imports amount to about US$25 million and the production of milk locally would eliminate this expenditure, while creating jobs and generating revenue for local cattle farmers.
He said there is a pool of animals in Guyana that can be converted to dairy production over the next five to 10 years. According to the Agriculture Minister, DDL with its technical, marketing and management expertise, is best suited to partner with Government to pursue the production of milk in Guyana.
The Government of Guyana, through the Guyana Livestock Authority GLDA), will provide the required expertise inartificial insemination, embryo transplant techniques, pasture management and on farm development and milk collection activities.
“There are synergies for us to work together and to access the needed resources through international agencies such as the World Food Programme,” the Minister said.
Meanwhile, Samaroo asserted that DDL is open to pursuing a partnership with the Government and will continue to engage in moving the process forward as part of the company’s diversification plans.
On the other hand, the partnership will also seek to expand local juice production with the Agriculture Ministry embarking on a programme to encourage market driven agriculture.
Wednesday’s visit by Minister Holder is the third by a Government Minister over the past three months as DDL and Government seek to work together to ensure a smooth and coordinated approach to the implementation of their respective development projects.
Earlier visits were paid by Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and Finance Minister Winston Jordan. These followed visits late last year by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Business Minister Dominic Gaskin.