Improving Swine and Small ruminants’ genetics high on GLDA’s agenda

February 7, 2018

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DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, February 7, 2018

The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) continues to strive for improved productivity of swine and small ruminants, locally.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the authority, Nigel Cumberbatch told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the agency has acquired new boars and rams for its genetics improvement programme.

One of the Rams acquired for the GLDA genetics improvement programme.

“In 2017, we were able to acquire Tempo breeding boars from which we are in fact collecting and processing semen. We have also enhanced our small ruminants Genetic Improvement Programme. There are two breeds of sheep and two breeds of goats that we are using for the extraction of semen. The breeds of sheep we are using are the Catardin and the Barbados Blackbelly. And the goats we are extracting semen from the Bare the Boer as well as the Nubian breed of goats,” Cumberbatch explained.

According to Cumberbatch, the acquisition of the rams was made possible with assistance from the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) / European Development Fund (EDF) programme.

Additionally, the CEO said the genetics improvement programme will be extended since the demands for its services are high.

“This programme is a success and in 2018 it will be extended even further. The demand and the requests that we are getting from farmers at the present time, we are unable to satisfy that request, but we are really pleased with the way that programme is functioning.”

The GLDA is the agency responsible for monitoring and aiding the development of the country’s livestock industry. Its services include advisory, research, and implementation of standards for the wholesome growth of the local industry. Information on the services is available by calling the GLDA’s office telephone number 220-6556.