Dear Editor,
RECENT claims by MP and Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Vinceroy Jordan, alluding to a poultry crisis in Guyana, as reported in Stabroek News on July 29, 2024, have been largely overstated.
Jordan alleges that hundreds of farmers are experiencing losses due to a suspected viral disease, Inclusion Body Hepatitis, and criticises the Ministry of Agriculture for remaining silent. However, these assertions fail to accurately represent the situation and undermine the efforts of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA).

Who are these hundreds of farmers? The opposition is extremely habitual when it comes to manufacturing figures and numbers and in this case, they could not provide one shred of evidence to back their claims.
While issues in poultry farming are not uncommon globally, the GLDA is effectively managing Guyana’s poultry industry.
The authority conducts regular monitoring and testing to ensure the health of poultry stocks and has protocols in place to address any potential outbreaks.
As of now, the GLDA reports that the incidence of disease remains within manageable levels and that there is no widespread crisis. It was only last year that President Irfaan Ali announced that over 2.5 million single shot vaccines were to be imported to manage the said disease, that was taking a proactive approach. I refer to an article dated the 7th July 2023 in Demerara Waves.

I want to remind the opposition that in 2016 hundreds of farmers suffered losses to their poultry and at that time, they more or less rubbished that there was any outbreak despite one farmer in Berbice recording that he lost 800 chickens to what they dubbed as “a mystery disease”.
Under the Ministry of Agriculture then, they concluded that there was no outbreak but these farmers suffered huge losses and shared their stories, those were real stories not made up numbers.
Farmers were never compensated following the loss as well. So the opposition and their ridiculous assertions and manufactured issues should be questioned at all times.
Guyana produces approximately 30 million pounds of chicken annually, with the GLDA ensuring that hatchery practices adhere to international standards. The authority has implemented measures to enhance biosecurity and improve hatchery conditions, reducing the risk of disease transmission.
The GLDA has a comprehensive plan to tackle any suspected outbreaks. This includes rapid response teams, increased surveillance, and collaboration with international veterinary bodies to contain and address any disease threats promptly. Training sessions for farmers on best practices in biosecurity are also part of ongoing efforts.

The opposition, including figures like Jordan, has historically criticised the Ministry of Agriculture, often ignoring the progress made under Minister Zulfikar Mustapha. The ministry continues to implement robust agricultural policies, supporting farmers and improving food security.
The policies are so robust that we are producing our own livestock feed with the vast production of corn and soya which will pave the way to being self-sufficient by 2025. Self-sufficient in a sense that local feed consumption will be ramped up throughout the country.
The portrayal of a poultry crisis in Guyana is misleading. The GLDA’s proactive measures and strategic plans demonstrate its capability in maintaining the health and sustainability of the poultry industry. It’s essential to acknowledge the strides made by the Ministry of Agriculture rather than focusing on unfounded criticisms.

The sector remains resilient and well-managed, ensuring stability and growth in Guyana’s agricultural landscape.
Yours sincerely,
Derrick Jones