DEMERARA Distillers Limited (DDL) on Saturday announced the arrival of the first shipment of high-yielding breeding cattle from the United States of America for its US$30 million dairy project at Moblissa along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
The shipment, comprising 89 pregnant heifers, landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at approximately 03:30hrs aboard a specialised Amerijet charter flight.
According to DDL, the arrival marks a major milestone in Guyana’s efforts to strengthen local dairy production and reduce dependence on imported dairy products.
Subsequent to the arrival of the aircraft, a three-hour logistics operation was conducted under strict biosecurity protocols to transport the animals safely to the dairy facility at Moblissa.
The cattle were transferred from the aircraft onto flatbed trucks and escorted by the Guyana Police Force to the farm site, where they are now undergoing acclimatisation in a modern facility equipped with climate-control systems aimed at ensuring maximum comfort and productivity.
Specialists from the Guyana Livestock Development Authority, along with DDL executives, supervised the operation to ensure compliance with animal welfare and safety standards.
In a statement, DDL Executive Chairman Komal Samaroo described the arrival of the cattle as a defining moment for Guyana’s agricultural sector.
“The arrival of these ‘first cows’ is indisputable testimony to DDL’s commitment to being a game-changer,” Samaroo said.
He added, “We are not just building a farm; we are building a sustainable industry that will transform Guyana’s agribusiness sector and provide long-term food security for the Region.”
DDL noted that the dairy project forms part of Guyana’s wider push to advance the CARICOM “25 by 2025” food- security initiative, which aims to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25 per cent.
By increasing local milk production, Demerara Dairy Inc (DDI), a subsidiary of DDL, hopes to significantly reduce the millions of US dollars spent annually on importing dairy products.
The company also extended gratitude to several agencies involved in facilitating the successful operation, including the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Livestock Development Authority, staff of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, ground handlers, equipment operators and employees of DDI.