Farmers were awarded for having the best sheep and goats in various categories when the West Berbice Sheep and Goat Association held its annual exhibition and fair at the Bath Community Centre Ground on Saturday last.
Culbert John (left) receiving his trophy from a representative of the New Building Society, Raymond Ramdatt.
The exhibition, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, saw various breeds of animals on display including the Santa Inez; a Brazilian breed, the Barbados Black Belly, the Texana and the Suffolk; British breeds and the mixed Doper.
The animals were judged by Dr Quacy Joseph, Research Assistant of the
National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) who told this newspaper that there were a lot of “good” animals.
He said though that through visits to the farms he found that the farmers needed to improve on the management systems and the feeding of the animals and that they lacked proper pastures.
Suffolk cross breed on display at the exhibition.
Joseph also said that government has been “pushing” for the improvement of livestock in West Berbice and after subsequent visits to some of the farms he was impressed with the progress made. He said too that the animals seemed to be in “good health and up to standard.”
Among those copping prizes were Culbert John of Hopetown for the best breeding ram, Javed Ishmael of Britannia for the best replacement ram and Sanjay Ramlochan for the best replacement ewe as well as Gregory Bowman.
Trophies and cash prizes as well as vouchers with animal products were presented to them.
John who won the prize for the best breeding ram told this newspaper that he bought the animal; the Barbados Black Belly ram from NARI and it has so far produced six offspring, crossed with the local Black Belly.
Siddhartha Rai of Number Six Village who displayed the Suffolk said he imported six of the animals from Miami five years ago. He said several cross breeds were produced and while rearing the animals in the Abary
Creek he lost a lot to the floods. The West Berbice Sheep and Goat Association was founded in November, 2007 with a total membership of 10 farmers and has now grown to 57 financially registered members. The purpose of the association, according to the secretary, Rambajan Ramlagan is to promote sheep and goat production and marketing.
The only story (at least at 0600 hours when I posted) among those today on mayhem, crime and disorder for the paper to pander to the impressionable and try and increase sales (and the one or two bloggers clogging up the blogs with ultimatley futile attempts to try and tarnish the reputation of the government).
Congratulations to these hard working farmers and the back up services of government institutions….
Reddy,
I like the twist, Borapork couldn’t figure it out.
Congrats to the Govt. for their help on enhancing livestock agriculture in Guyana.
Reddy I can see you know alot about rare breeds.
Very appropriate you are the first to comment on a story about sheep and goats.
I always do..Don’t you see me refer to the “One or two bloggers” like you always bleating and singing “Me is so……….”
Oh come on! get the captions right!
Guyana, is ‘the land of many water’ and lush vegetation – providing, abundant food for animal farming, especially, goats, which feeds on almost any vegetation and are generally profitable.
Pigs, are also high yielding and have the potential of providing a decent income.
Farmers, especially, poor farmers, should be helped with the required training, skills, loans, land, infrastructure etc., and outreach programs of the ministry of Agriculture, NARI and other agencies.
The above training, should be provided in the local communities, since, many poor farmers find it difficult to travel to the city and long distances away from their villages.
Young people, should trained, oriented and incentivised in schools, to go into agro businesses and entrepreneural activities. Guyana, is naturally endowed with the land and water resources for agro business activities., to help lift poor and vulnerable communities from economic insecurity and fear , if properly organised and promoted.
Guyana’s fertile land, in the interior – away from the flood prone coastal of areas, should be given to the landless and poor with equal or more emphasis for agricultural entrepreneural businesses, than, giving land to foreign investors – as the PPP government is contemplating to do.
Charity , begins at home!