by Eulana Weekes
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources- St. Kitts and Nevis commissioned the new Poultry Hatchery at Bayford’s Livestock Centre of Excellence on October 31.
The hatchery was constructed under the Layer Chicken Industry Sustainable Development Project, marking another step on the path to reducing the federation’s poultry imports and by extension the food import bill by 25% by the year 2025.
The primary goal in St. Kitts and Nevis is to reduce the annual $140-million food import bill by 25%, leading to an overall reduction of $35 million.
Poultry is considered the largest sector in terms of national import expenditure. In 2022, chicken imports were estimated at a record-breaking 19.3 million. Considering the opening of the hatchery, farmers will be provided 20,000 day-old chicks per year, aimed at maximising chicken production and also ensuring that the federation becomes 100% efficient in egg production.
Policymakers believe that once investments are made in every aspect of the food supply chain from meats, and crops in agriculture to aquaculture and fisheries, food security can be achieved.
Meanwhile, His Excellency Lin Chia-Lung, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) attended the commissioning of the hatchery as part of his official visit to the event.
The Taiwanese on social media noted, ” We are thrilled to celebrate the commission of the new Layer Chicken Breeder Farm and Hatchery at the Bayford’s Livestock Centre of Excellence—a key advancement for the poultry industry in Saint Kitts and Nevis!”
“This partnership highlights Taiwan’s commitment to sustainable agricultural development in the Federation, contributing to food security and economic growth.”
Also present at the hatchery’s commissioning ceremony were the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Samal Duggins, Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Federation, His Excellency Michael Lin, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Mr. Miguel Flemming and other staff from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Taiwan Embassy in St. Kitts.
