The move to expand the livestock sector as part of the diversification of agricultural production is a forward step as this area has tremendous potential to make this country a player on the global meat supply market. “We have recognised that in our thrust to diversify, that a key area would be livestock; and within the broad livestock heading we have recognised not only the opportunity for food security or internal consumption, but an opportunity in terms of export.”
“As part of our agriculture diversification strategy and part of our long-term plan, specifically for the livestock sector, we have put as a matter of priority genetic improvement, and what you see here today is not the first; in fact every quarter we have such distribution exercises taking place at different locations,” Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud exhorted.
He noted that it is also to look at ways in which support can be given to farmers countrywide, getting them up to flock size so that eventually Guyana can be a major exporter of meat.
Persaud emphasised that there has been an increase in the interest shown by livestock farmers in the area of agricultural diversification and positive development and enhancement of agricultural practices.
He said the breeding programmes are substantial investments made by the Government towards the support of farmers to allow them to grow and expand their agricultural activities.
Guyana is considered one of the few countries that is self-sufficient in livestock, and according to Minister Persaud, it is Government’s vision to assist the CARICOM region in dealing with its food insecurities and its reliance on imported livestock.
Investments made by government over the years were aimed at ensuring affordability and developing capabilities to become a major supplier within CARICOM.
“Many of the CARICOM States today import livestock products from as far as New Zealand, some parts of Central America and even as far as Argentina; but we believe that if our farmers are well organised and given the necessary support and marketing and export systems, we can replace some of those suppliers to the Caribbean region, if we are given the opportunity,” the Agriculture Minister assured.
The minister correctly pointed out that if the country is to realise its vision of being a leading meat exporter to the Caribbean Region, there are steps that will have to be taken. These include genetic improvement, developing animal health care, enhancing diagnostic and slaughtering facilities, and developing market facilities.
On the global market there is steady trend of increased meat prices and if Guyana positions itself well as it is currently, it could bring in great dividends for the national economy and our livestock farmers as well.
Over the past year the price of mutton in Armenia has increased by as much as 300 percent.
A year ago, one sheep (weighing 18-20 kilograms alive) cost 15,000-20,000 drams ($54) and now this price is 50,000-70,000 drams (up to $190).

Mainly Yezidiz (ethnic shepherds and sheep-breeders; some 60,000 Yezidiz live in Armenia) are engaged in sheep-breeding in Armenia. Omar Mamoyan, Yezidi National Council member and advisor to Armenian agrarian-farm sector, thinks that the reason of the current situation is the export of mutton and lamb from Armenia.

“Within three-four months 145,000 sheep were exported from Armenia. Plus, 17,300 sheep were imported from Georgia within a month, whereas, we used to export to them before. They import to solve the situation, but how?” he asks.

Arayik Petrosyan, resident of Goght village, Kotayk province, says that customers from Yerevan and Iran visit their village almost every day trying to buy animals (sheep, lamb, cow or calf) from villagers, in order to pay less money.

“But now only a few villagers sell (their animals). First, they took so much that very few are left, and secondly, the prices rise day by day. And if a villager gets a high price, even 100 drams higher, then he/she will benefit,” Petrosyan says.

Currently resellers export not only mutton but also veal. Calves are also bought from villages. A calf weighs about 100-120 kilograms. If in autumn peasants sell one kilo of veal at 1,200 drams ($3.2), then now the price is 1,800-2,000 drams ($4.8-5.4) As for pork, no price hike has been registered here yet. One kilo of pork costs 2,200-2,400 drams ($6-6.4).
Sheep meat trade in 2009 was forecast to be in the order of 900 000 tonnes, down 6 percent compared with 2008, but early prospects for 2010 point to some recovery. Sheep meat prices performed relatively well, in particular high quality lamb meat which saw prices climbing progressively through the earlier part of the year. World sheep meat prices were sustained mainly because of lower supplies from Australia and New Zealand, whose combined exports of 753 000 tonnes was down by 3 percent. In addition, import demand from Asia and the Near East, where lamb and mutton is a tradition, remain sustained. World prices in 2010 are expected to strengthen, due to a tight world supply situation following reduced flock numbers, especially in Oceania.
Another beneficial aspect of small ruminants rearing is the empowering of women, particularly in poor households, because it is an occupation which could be carried out in conjunction with household chores.
An international study has found that in West Africa the rearing of small ruminants is mainly the responsibility of women and children, as this activity can generally be undertaken in the vicinity of the household. Men contribute to feed collection where cut-and-carry feeding is required, particularly if it involves travelling long distances. In addition to rearing small ruminants, women in most West African countries contribute a high percentage of total labour input in food production, processing and trade, as well as in domestic tasks.
So it is clear that the Ministry of Agriculture has its fingers on the right buttons. What is needed now is the efficient and effective implementation and management of the programme to ensure its success.