Government’s Black Belly Sheep Programme continues to expand the local livestock sector, with more than 500 farmers already benefiting from the initiative aimed at boosting production and reducing reliance on imported meat.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Monday, said the programme has grown steadily since Guyana received an initial batch of 1,000 Black Belly sheep from Barbados.
According to the minister, the national herd has now increased to more than 3,000 animals, while efforts are underway to further improve local stock through cross-breeding initiatives.
“The Black Belly Sheep programme has been a success. We have received from Barbados 1000 Black Belly sheep and today we have just over 3000 in the system. Over 500 farmers have benefited and have started their own flocks,” Mustapha said.
He explained that the government’s wider livestock agenda is focused on increasing local production while cutting back on imports.
Mustapha also highlighted several other measures being rolled out to strengthen the industry, including artificial insemination and embryo transfer programmes aimed at improving productivity in the beef and dairy sectors.
“The government is intensifying its livestock development efforts through artificial insemination and embryo transfer. For the first time in our history, we are undertaking embryo transfer to improve productivity, and we will soon import 1000 pregnant heifers to boost beef and dairy production,” the minister stated.
The agriculture minister further pointed to growing private sector investment in the industry, including a dairy project involving Demerara Distillers Limited and an Israeli partner, along with the establishment of a pasteurised meat facility by farmers in Region Five.
He said the combined public and private sector investments are expected to further modernise Guyana’s livestock industry and increase the country’s food production capacity.
