DDL, Israeli company explore major dairy farming in Guyana

A feasibility study for the establishment of a commercially viable dairy farming operation is currently being undertaken by Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and LR Group of Israel.

On Friday the companies said that the operation’s design will see to the supply of fresh cows’ milk to DDL’s Tropical Orchard Products Company Limited (TOPCO) milk plant for pasteurisation and packaging.
Currently, TOPCO is testing the production and packaging of reconstituted milk, which is scheduled to be commercially launched later this month. The study, however, is being undertaken to determine the feasibility of transitioning to the pasteurisation of fresh cows’ milk.
The feasibility study and definition of the scope of the project is scheduled for completion in early 2022.
Moreover, the study forms part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed between the two companies in June 2020, which provides for collaboration in the development of a dairy farming operation that will include the participation of local dairy farmers.

Additionally, the MoU provides for the implementation of strategies to increase the supply of fruits and vegetables from local farmers through the provision of support services that promote best practices in crop selection, cultivation, disease control, harvesting, packaging and transportation to DDL’s TOPCO plant at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.
Furthermore, the MoU provides for joint pursuance of other commercially viable projects in Guyana, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) at large that fit into the development priorities of member states, and the region’s efforts to reduce its food import bill and ensure food security.
Board of Directors and DDL Chairman Komal Samaroo on Thursday met with Director of the LR Group, Joseph Harrosh.
The meeting saw a presentation on the concept of the proposed project by Harrosh and a team of experts from Israel.
Meanwhile, a technical team from Israel is expected to visit Guyana early next year to assess and make recommendations on land selection for the dairy farm and a structure for the participation of private farmers in the process. Thereafter, the feasibility study will be finalised.
Harrosh and the DDL team also toured the operations of TOPCO for an on-the-spot look at the new state-of-the-art equipment recently installed.
Israel is considered a global leader in the agriculture sector, including dairy farming and the project is being designed to utilise best practices and the latest state-of-the-art technology.
Both Chairman Samaroo and Harrosh expressed satisfaction at the progress being made with the feasibility study and optimism that the project would be mutually beneficial to the investors and the Guyanese economy.