Gov’t pushing large-scale livestock farming with $806M allocation

The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) is embarking on large-scale rearing of livestock this year and intends to partner with the private sector to enhance the quantity and quality of meat and meat products for the domestic and international markets.

The GLDA benefited from several interventions soon after the Administration took office in August 2020, in keeping with the Government’s overall goal to expand and revitalise the agriculture sector. That will continue with this year’s $806 million budgetary allocation.

Investments at the GLDA have been aimed at ensuring that it has high-quality livestock to increase farmers’ access to better breeding stock for improved production and productivity.

Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha has pointed out the importance of improving the sector, and has made good on his commitments to ensure that financial aid and other incentives are provided to improve farmers’ capabilities.

The Minister recently handed over a herd of breeding bulls to farmers to advance this goal. Two all-terrain vehicles and seven motorcycles were also presented to representatives of various regions to enhance extension services.

The Government also plans to support investors by developing its livestock traceability capacity to improve the accuracy and reliability of data, which is fundamental to meeting food safety standards and farm certification. It will also help to promote exports.

The Authority’s CEO Dr. Grayson Halley says there are plans to expand the animal numbers this year and focus would be on enhancing animal quality with genetics. He says a significant sum from the agency’s allocation in the 2021 Budget would be invested in genetic improvement, since that is the main concern for farmers nationwide.

Guyana Livestock Development Authority’s CEO, Dr. Grayson Halley

Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha during the presentation ceremony of ATVs and motorcycles to regional agriculture extension services officers on Monday

Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha examines one of the breeding bulls he handed over to farmers last Monday

Further, the CEO said hatcheries were developed last year and incubators established to meet the demands of livestock rearing and obtain a profit.

The $806 million allocation in Budget 2021 is meant to accelerate the GLDA’s efforts to accomplish its mandate.

Plans for this year also include a modular abattoir at Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, which will serve to fill the existing local market gap for processed pork and pork products, while creating more income-generating opportunities.

There are also plans to construct a modern abattoir at Onverwagt, Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five) for beef and beef products to transform the cattle industry.

Minister Mustapha has said the Ministry will do its best to modernise the livestock industry so that local farmers can tap into foreign markets.