–introduces innovative technology for Guyana’s development

EARLY last year when Demerara Distillers Ltd. (DDL) was making arrangements for their fresh-milk project, this column welcomed their innovative and imaginative effort. Today, consumers rejoice at the taking off of their modern and state-of-the-art facility to produce fresh milk and other dairy products. This DDL effort satisfies a need that has affected Guyanese consumers for over half a century until the end of 1950: Fresh milk as well as pasteurised milk, was available to consumers in both town and country in adequate supply.

From the beginning of the 1960s, however, when the country became engulfed in racio-political conflict, which all but destroyed its social and economic life, the prosperous milk industry was one of the first casualties.
Resuscitating the dairy industry to modern First World standards was a challenge that no other company or entrepreneur felt capable of taking on. When Mr. Komal Samaroo, the CEO of DDL decided to take on the challenge, consumers felt very happy, since Mr. Samaroo’s stature as one of the Caribbean’s most able businessmen gave the assurance that the project would be a success.

Indeed, Mr. Samaroo and his company, DDL, have the reputation that any project they undertake is well researched and planned, and will not only be profitable to the company and its shareholders, but will also be of benefit to society as a whole, and the dairy project is a good example.

Normally, a company embarking on a dairy project will tend to seek partners and technology transfer from Denmark, Holland or Germany, but DDL, after comprehensive research, found Israel to be a preferable partner. The project will not only be profitable, but will satisfy a long-felt consumer need, improve the dietary quality of the nation, save the country foreign exchange, and eventually be a net foreign exchange earner for the country.

The project introduces a unique method of dairy farming to Guyana. The cows will not be grazed, but will live in their pens, fed a diet of nutritional food produced on the project’s farm. The pens will be temperature-controlled to ensure the animals’ comfort, and each animal would be monitored electronically to ensure its health.

Over 900 animals would be imported from the United States, and all the export requirements have already been completed. Over four million litres of fresh milk would be produced annually and transported to DDL’S TOPCO milk plant for packaging and pasteurisation.

The farm is situated at Moblissa, on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, and the main access road is being rehabilitated. A new bridge is being built to facilitate the transport of milk to the TOPCO plant for final processing.

The 500 acres of land allocated to produce the animal fodder is being cleared and levelled, and corn and legumes are being planted. When harvested, these crops are taken to the barn where they are formulated with other ingredients and nutritional fodder is prepared for the requirements of the different categories of animals.

Three very large wells are being constructed, and these will supply adequate water for the project. DDL is investing over $4 billion in the project, and the Project Manager is Mr. Wesley Kirton. The project is scheduled to be completed early next year. The consumer community eagerly looks forward to the availability of the highest quality of milk and other dairy products on the local market.
DDL has been able to survive and prosper in a world of stiff competition by its ability to diversify profitably and meet consumer requirements. By international acclaim, it produces the best rums in the world; now it is embarking on producing milk and dairy products of the highest quality!