GLDA Hatchery allowing farmers to increase their production base

‒ over 408,000 ducklings produced thus far for 2017

The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has thus far produced 408,000 ducklings for 2017, surpassing the 2016 figure of 400,000 as it moves to be the source for farmers increasing their production base.
Genetic Improvement Specialist of the GLDA, Dr Robin Austin, who was at the time updating Agriculture Minister Noel Holder spoke of the progress made by the Hatchery and the positive results achieved by farmers.
He noted that last year, the Hatchery recorded close to 400,000 ducklings and thus far, the institution has surpassed its target while paving the way for farmers to access quality ducklings.

“The work of the GLDA Hatchery has increased significantly as it continues to make a significant contribution to the advancement of the industry,” Dr Austin said.
The GLDA Hatchery Department has been facilitating farmers in the use of the facility at a cost of $100 per egg, or based on the number successfully hatched.
Agriculture Minister Holder, while touring the facility, spoke of his satisfaction with the work done by the GLDA, in ensuring that the Authority became independent and generated an income.
He added that thus far, duckling production has experienced positive growth of more than 90 per cent and encouraged the management of the Authority to continue to strive for higher growth rate.
“Many farmers, primarily single parents, from all parts of the country utilise the services of the GLDA Hatchery; hence, the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that we maintain a high level of service,” the Minister was quoted as saying by the Department of Public Information.
The eggs, after being collected from farmers, are fumigated after which they undergo the process to become ducklings.
Hatchery Manager designate, Dr Mariel Savory stated that the GLDA did not only provide the hatchery services, but made use of its extension officers who would ensure that farmers practise proper husbandry, and maintained a ratio of female ducks (hens) to male ducks (drakes) which contributed to fertility.
“It is important for us to sensitise farmers on issues such as these if there are to be an increase in their production and productivity…since we have introduced these services to farmers, we (GLDA) have seen a significant increase in the number of new farmers as well as production,” Dr Savory said.
The GLDA Hatchery produces approximately 8500 ducklings on a hatching day. Of that amount, 600 are from farmers while the remaining eggs are from the GLDA.
The Authority also retails ducklings to the public at a subsidised cost of $250 with a waiting period of two weeks.
Annually, the GLDA Hatchery records an increase in production during the January-April period. It is estimated that the ducklings produced at the hatchery yields over one million pounds of duck meat per year.