Garaban’s egg farm sets benchmark for poultry operations in Region Two

Poultry farmer Dinesh Garaban is setting a new standard for small-to-medium-scale egg production in Region Two, operating what officials say is one of the most efficient and environmentally compliant layer farms on the Essequibo Coast.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Madanlall Ramraj toured Garaban’s egg farm on Saturday, accompanied by Regional Chairman Devin Mohan, Deputy Regional Executive Officer Omesh Sasenaryan and other regional officials.
Garaban operates a 5,000-bird layer system supplying eggs to 12 supermarkets and producing an average of 92 trays daily. The farm is the only Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved layer operation in the area, meeting national standards for environmental management, animal welfare, hygiene and food safety.
Eggs are graded on site, with cracked or off-grade produce sold to bakeries, reducing waste and improving overall profitability. The operation also uses locally designed automatic watering systems and efficient feed management, with feed bins capable of holding 68 bags to maintain continuous production.
About 95 per cent of the hens lay in locally built nesting boxes, a design that has reduced egg breakage and improved collection efficiency. Minister Ramraj noted that the housing and nesting systems are already being adopted by five other poultry farmers across the region.
Sustainability is a key feature of the operation. Poultry manure is recycled as organic fertilizer for on-site gardens, lowering chemical fertilizer costs and improving soil quality. The integrated system supports the production of about 400 pounds of papaw per week, providing an additional income stream.
Garaban said he plans to train young people and establish demonstration units on the farm. He estimates that similar operations can be developed with start-up investments of between $7 million and $8 million.
Minister Ramraj and Chairman Mohan described the farm as a model for sustainable agriculture, innovation and food security in Region Two.