Guyana: Guyana Expands Black Belly Sheep Programme as Local Herd Grows

The Government of Guyana’s Black Belly Sheep Programme has seen significant growth, contributing to the local livestock sector. More than 500 farmers have benefited from this initiative, which aims to enhance production and decrease reliance on imported meat. Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha shared insights during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Monday, noting that the programme has steadily progressed since the initial introduction of 1,000 Black Belly sheep from Barbados.

Currently, the national herd has surpassed 3,000 animals, with ongoing efforts to improve local stock through cross-breeding initiatives. Minister Mustapha stated, “The Black Belly Sheep programme has been a success. We have received from Barbados 1,000 Black Belly sheep, and today we have just over 3,000 in the system. Over 500 farmers have benefited and have started their own flocks.” He emphasized that the government’s broader livestock agenda focuses on increasing local production while reducing imports.

In addition to the sheep programme, Mustapha highlighted several measures being implemented to strengthen the livestock industry. These include:

• Artificial insemination
• Embryo transfer programmes aimed at improving productivity in the beef and dairy sectors

He remarked, “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 1,000 pregnant heifers to boost beef and dairy production.” Furthermore, the agriculture minister pointed out the increasing private sector investment in the industry, which includes a dairy project involving Demerara Distillers Limited and an Israeli partner, as well as the establishment of a pasteurized meat facility by farmers in Region Five. These combined public and private sector investments are expected to modernize Guyana’s livestock industry and enhance the country’s food production capacity.

Source: snn.gy