To ensure that the livestock sector remains viable to supply growing demands, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud yesterday met with representatives of the Guyana Poultry Producers’ Association to discuss agriculture development plans for 2011. The plan will see the Ministry of Agriculture and the association collaborating to monitor production to ensure that there is an adequate supply of chicken on the market. Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority, Dindyal Permaul, was also in attendance.
For the first time after many years, there is adequate supply of poultry on the market. However, the association has complained about the non-vaccination of baby chicks which results in the stunted growth of the birds.
Minister Persaud stated that Government is currently exploring markets in Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname which will allow producers access to external markets, and he is urging them to be more proactive. 
The association welcomed the initiative , assuring the Agriculture Minister of supplying the market, since this will enable them to be more financially secure.
In July 2009, according to the association, there was a high price being paid for the commodity from the hatcheries; however, given the glut currently on the market, sales are expected to decrease.
The association has made a request for an independent body to be formed to investigate the issue of non-vaccination of broiler chicks.
Meanwhile, Minister Persaud said that as the demand for  rice increases, due to the shortfall on the world market, requests have been made for Guyana to support other countries, apart from Venezuela.
However, he has made request for exports to be reduced so as to meet the local demand. (GINA)