Local poultry farmers are reportedly facing a dire situation, as imported eggs from Brazil flood the market, pushing down prices and leaving local produce to spoil. One vocal farmer, has taken to social media to highlight the plight of his and his fellow poultry farmers, shedding light on the challenges they face due to what he describes as the government’s current agricultural policies.
“We have a registered poultry business,” he wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post. “Right now, we have eggs spoiling by the hundreds of trays just because this government allows some cronies to bring eggs and chicken from Brazil and sell it below Guyana’s price. This is slowing up the sale of white eggs in Guyana.”
The writer’s frustration stems from a broader issue affecting many local farmers. Between 2021 and 2022, just before the Christmas season, he and other farmers invested heavily in brown layer hens, anticipating a significant yield. “We had cilt thousand brown layers just before Christmas, just reaching laying time, and all died out,” the farmer lamented. “We reached out to this government, and when the report was taken to Minister Zulfikar, he said he can’t do anything about that. It’s not just us; many farmers lost on brown layers.”
The situation has not only led to substantial financial losses but also a sense of abandonment among the farmers. The vocal farmer pointed out that he and others have documented evidence to support their claims and are seeking acknowledgment from the Ministry of Agriculture. “We have facts of what I post,” he insisted. “I am glad if someone from the Ministry of Agriculture can show the minister what I post. We invested over 50 million last year in poultry.”
This investment, he said, intended to bolster local poultry production and provide for the community, now hangs in the balance. The influx of cheaper, imported brown eggs has disrupted the market, leaving local farmers struggling to sell their produce at sustainable prices. As eggs continue to spoil, the call for government intervention grows louder.
The farmer’s post has sparked a conversation about the need for better support and policies to protect local agriculture. Farmers like him are not asking for favors; they seek fair competition and recognition of their efforts to contribute to Guyana’s food security and economy.