The Didco Trading Company yesterday commissioned a $100M hatchery with the capacity to produce 255,000 baby chicks weekly at its Lot 1 Ramp Road, Ruimveldt headquarters.
During a tour of the facility, Didco's Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Winston Lawrence noted that capacity has now been doubled to eight setters and eight hatchers and by February capacity would reach 350,000 baby chicks per week. The equipment was installed by the US-based Chickmasters.
Giving a background to the hatchery, he said that the first equipment for setting and hatching was put into operation last year with the aim of supplying Didco's chicken farm and contract farmers. But the company has gone on to supply farmers as far away as Essequibo, Corriverton and Berbice.
He said the company's prices, as low as $68 for one chick, compared favourably to other producers and could go lower as production increases. During the tour, Dr Lawrence noted that strict hygienic practices are observed to eliminate any contagious diseases.
Speaking at the opening of the facility after the media tour, Chief Executive Officer Deo Singh said the hatcheries project was part of a fully integrated poultry scheme where Didco now offers from hatched baby chicks to fried chicken at its KFC outlets.
The hatchery, Singh said, has made the production of chickens cost-effective to farmers, has higher rates of hatchability, healthier chicks and competitive prices. The hatchery feeds the 19 fully computerised poultry units which would soon increase to 20.
Singh said the idea of the integrated project was to improve the industry and was not intended to dislocate any farmer. Investing in a developing country and more so, Guyana, in recent times, he said was not an easy undertaking due largely to political instability. However, he thanked the Guyana and US governments for assisting in the project. In brief remarks US Ambassador to Guyana, Ronald Godard hoped that the Social Partners Dialogue could help solve the country's various problems and bring a level of political stability needed to encourage investment.
Minister of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock Satyadeow Sawh said over the past decade, the poultry industry has shown significant strides. Investment climbed from US$30M in 2000 to US$50M at the present time, Sawh said. Production increased from 3,090 tonnes in 1992 to a projected figure of 19,713 tonnes for 2002. Local projected production of 19,713 tonnes for 2002 has exceeded 2001 production of 13,638 tonnes, reflecting an increase of 44.5%.
He said poultry meat was the preferred source of animal protein in the country with Guyanese consuming approximately 22.33 kg of poultry meat per capita.
In terms of employment, the industry provided direct employment for about 5,000 persons with indirect employment much higher. It also provides significant support to other industries such as the rice industry and the food service sector.
Noting that Guyana's cost of production for broilers is among some of the lowest in the Caribbean, Sawh said there exists a competitive edge for exports to the regional markets. He noted, too, that the industry was responding more and more to consumer demand for `convenience food' by offering pre-cut and tray packed products.
Stating that the industry recognises the challenges ahead, he said several producers are depending on the CARICOM market for exports. In this context several initiatives are underway including the development of convenience products such as pre-seasoned and partially cooked meats and the establishment of local broiler breeding operations to substitute imports of hatching eggs.