Bayford’s Poultry Hatchery commissioned to boost local egg production in St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis: The new Poultry Hatchery at Bayford’s Livestock Centre of Excellence was officially commissioned on Thursday, 31st October 2024. The construction of the hatchery marks a huge step undertaken by the authorities towards increasing local egg production and making significant efforts towards leading their agenda of 25% by 2025, which aims at a 25% reduction in food imports by 2025.

As per the details, the hatchery was constructed under the Layer Chicken Industry Sustainable Development project. Notably, it is a joint venture between the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources of St Kitts and Nevis.

And, the commissioning of the hatchery also coincided with the official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Lin Chia-Lung.

The ceremony was also attended by several delegates including the Minister of Agriculture Samal Duggins, the Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Federation Michael Lin, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Miguel Flemming and other staff from Ministry of Agriculture and the Taiwan Embassy in St Kitts.

The Minister of Agriculture of St Kitts and Nevis, Samal Duggins stated that this project is a part of the Government’s “25 by 25 agenda.” He added that their administration has been taking several significant efforts with a vision to reduce food imports by 25% by the year 2025, aiming to establish a sustainable and self-sufficient agricultural economy.

The Minister added that the establishment of this chicken hatchery will play a huge role in reducing their dependence on food imports as well as strengthening the local poultry industry.

He further stated that this facility will also play a huge role in supporting local farmers by providing them with high-quality chicks, technical resources and the necessary infrastructure. He added that these facilities will help the local businesses to elevate their poultry production and generate huge amount of revenues.

As per the details, this hatchery project will provide farmers with a supply of twenty-thousand-day-old chicks. These chicks can be used by the local citizens for the production of both meat and eggs.

Moreover, Minister Duggins thanked Taiwan for their collaboration in this project and aimed to continue to form crucial partnerships with a vision to bring a sustainable future for St Kitts and Nevis.