GEORGETOWN The Ministry of Agriculture is currently putting safe and adequate transportation mechanisms in place to import 1000 Barbados black belly sheep expected to land here within two months.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said Guyana and Barbados have advanced talks on the initiative.
“We will try to get adequate transportation to bring 1000 animals to Guyana. I can’t give a time stamp, but I am hoping that shortly, within a month or two, they can be available to Guyana,” he said.
Mustapha said Barbados’ Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, has instructed her Minister of Agriculture and his team to ensure that the small ruminant animals are sent at the earliest.
President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali recently launched the Black Belly Sheep Project in Mahaica-Berbice, as his administration moves to intensify Guyana’s agriculture program.
Farmers have already been assured that the government will fully support the industry to prepare their fields for the initiative.
Already, 78 farmers have signaled their interest in the project and signed up, making about 1,325 acres of land available.
The world import value of mutton and mutton products is estimated at eight billion US dollars, with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping importing 7,900 tones of mutton at US$48 million annually. The four major markets in the region are the Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Guyana is looking to expand its local production above 7,000 Tonnes at the end of five years. The approach will require a capital investment of over GUY$231.8 billion (One Guyana dollar=US$0.004 cents) and approximately 25,000 acres of land. The expected earning is estimated at ovGUY$8.6 billion annually.
We have right within our arms’ reach to generate a value of US$48 million. Australia and New Zealand supply CARICOM. With the cost of freight and logistics increasing, this is low-hanging fruit; CARICOM is right within our arms’ reach.
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