Hinterland Poultry project – a resounding success
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, June 20, 2018
The introduction of poultry rearing to hinterland communities is a resounding success.
In a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Nigel Cumberbatch said “the black giant [chicken] project was introduced in 2017 and at this point in time we really cannot keep up with the demand that we are getting for the birds particularly in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.”
According to Cumberbatch, the successful introduction of the Black Giant poultry to several hinterland communities and schools began in 2017 and will continue as more stock becomes available. The CEO said the nature of the poultry is a major contributing factor to the high demand.
“Because of its ability to graze rather than the continuous utilization of commercial feeds and the demand for it particularly as it relates to the hinterland communities is quite great,” Cumberbatch explained.
The black Giant poultry is a “creole” breed poultry. It is the largest of the dual-purpose chicken and is excellent for meat and egg production over a longer period. It can lay in excess of 200 eggs per year and produce about 4.5 kilograms of meat.
The programme which commenced on February 1, 2017, saw the handing over of one hundred (100) Black Giant chickens along with the requisite start-up feed and other supplies to Mahdia Secondary School in Region Eight. The objective of the initiative is to assist with making the hinterland regions less reliant on the Coast for their food supplies, more specifically by targeting the hinterland residential schools.
The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) is an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture. Its main function is to facilitate the growth and development of the country’s livestock industry through the provision of advisory and other services.
By: Kidackie Amsterdam.