More focus on breeding stock improvement
- importation of Texel sheep being explored

Georgetown, GINA, October 02, 2007.

Government’s drive to further develop the livestock sector with improved breeding stock is progressing, as an assessment is currently being done through the Ministry of Agriculture and the British High Commission in Guyana to determine the  possibility of  importing Texel, a new breed of sheep.


            During recent years significant emphasis has been placed on improving local animal breeds and various initiatives have been made to import various breeds and types of animals including the Boer goat, Black-Belly and Virginia White sheep and Brangus and Zebo cow.   
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud today expressed optimism over the importation of the Texel sheep during a meeting with British High Commissioner to Guyana, Fraser Wheeler and officials of the Texel Sheep Society, United Kingdom. Director of the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Dr. Oudho Homenauth participated in the meeting.    
Officials updated the Minister on the ongoing assessment, which is being done by the Texel Society and the British High Commission in Guyana with support from the Agriculture Ministry through NARI.
The team has already inspected NARI’s breeding facilities and according to Chief Executive of the Texel Society, the officials are very impressed. The team is scheduled to visit other areas across the country including Rupununi and West Coast Berbice.


 
The High Commissioner pointed out that the initiative supports Guyana’s agricultural diversification thrust through which other initiatives have been undertaken in areas of aquaculture and organic production.
The Texel sheep has been primarily developed for meat and is well-known in Europe and in the continents of Africa and South America as a provider of a high quality meat. In addition, it is also well known in many countries as a breed that transmits its qualities to its offsprings when used for cross-breeding.
            The livestock sector contributes an average of 2.2 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and plays a crucial role in the sustainable development of the economy. Growth in this sector has been dynamic averaging 4.7 percent per annum since 2001 compared to 3.6 percent and 1.2 percent for agricultural GDP and total GDP respectively.
            Government has recognised the potential of the sector if it expands and increases its role in socio-economic development, particularly in rural communities and is making numerous interventions to building a thriving sector.
These include importation of improved breeding stock and embryos, continuation of artificial insemination (AI), establishment of animal breeding farms and more pastures to cater for advancement of the livestock industry.

 

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