February 8, 2022

Jamaica's poultry farmers getting benefits from subsidiary programme, says agriculture minister

Jamaica's Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said poultry farmers in the country have began to benefit from the government's $50 million subsidiary programme, that is aimed at minimising production costs.

Charles Jr. said that while the country's agriculture ministry is committed to facilitating the poultry industry's expansion, should the price of chicken meat becomes "astronomical," then "we have to protect Jamaicans".

He also maintained that his primary mission is to boost production for domestic consumption and exports to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and other international markets.

He emphasised that the government desires poultry farmers "to continue to expand your business," and underscores the need for dialogue to identify "practical solutions that benefit our farmers and consumers."

Charles Jr. said the agriculture ministry's Research and Development Division has been mandated to collaborate with stakeholders and work towards making the cost of chicken feed more affordable by utilising local production inputs.

He indicated that the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) has been pivotal in training and providing farmers with resources to boost outputs, while pointing out that this support will continue to ensure Jamaica does not rely solely on chicken imports to meet domestic consumption demand.

According to Charles Jr., he met with the two major local poultry producers, who indicated their endorsement of the agriculture ministry's initiative to support farmers by instituting systems to fill any potential temporary shortage that may arise and spur the sector's expansion.

"The companies also expressed their continued commitment to the poultry sector through a multibillion-dollar investment in the expansion of their hatcheries aimed at strengthening our local capacity to meet demand," the minister said, pointing out that local producers have been fulfilling approximately 60% of local demand.

- Jamaica Information Service