The local ruminant industry is poised for major growth, with Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha outlining plans to boost livestock production, improve genetics, and modernise farming practices across the country.
Speaking during a media engagement held in observance of Agriculture Month, Mustapha detailed the government’s multi-pronged strategy to strengthen the beef, dairy, and sheep industries.
“We are working with cattle farmers around the country, as instructed by His Excellency the President, to bring in embryo stock and develop the beef industry in those areas,” Mustapha said.
The ministry is advancing breeding programmes through embryo transfer and artificial insemination, focusing on high-quality breeds such as Brahman cattle, Dorper sheep, and Black Belly sheep. More than 500 farmers have already benefited from the initiative, which includes training and technical support to expand meat-type livestock production.
Mustapha said that through a regional partnership with Barbados, a number of Black Belly sheep were imported, with plans to build a Caribbean brand capable of competing in international lamb markets.
“We’ve received approximately 1,000 Black Belly sheep from the Barbadian government, and we have tripled that amount,” Minister Mustapha noted.
In Ebini, the government has partnered with a Brazilian company to revitalise dairy farming on agricultural estates — part of a broader effort to strengthen milk production alongside beef.
A state-of-the-art abattoir in Region Five is expected to be commissioned within two weeks, underscoring the importance of ensuring a steady supply of animals to meet growing demand.
“We have to ensure that we produce enough animals—enough beef—for that abattoir,” Mustapha said, citing the success of the bull rotation programme and breeding bull distribution.
To promote sustainable livestock management, a 650-acre pasture is being developed to transition farmers from free-range grazing to more structured systems. The government is also expanding extension services to deliver hands-on support to farmers nationwide.
“Gone are the days of leaving animals to graze in the wild, we are now working aggressively to develop systems to take care of these animals,” Minister Mustapha said.
As Agriculture Month continues, the Ministry’s initiatives reflect a renewed commitment to innovation, regional collaboration, and farmers’ success — signalling a promising future for Guyana’s livestock sector.
