St Ann poultry farmers get boost

For St Ann poultry farmer Marcia Bygrave, collecting 50 broiler chicks at the Port Rhoades Sports Club recently was more than the start of another rearing cycle – it was the beginning of a new chapter.

Bygrave said the support has given her renewed purpose and a realistic opportunity to earn an income.

“I am so elated. I used to raise chicken but, you know, I’m not working, so this is like you give me a start and it’s the first time I have gotten something from somebody. So, I’m so happy,” she told JIS News.

Bygrave was among 40 poultry farmers from communities surrounding Discovery Bauxite’s operations in St Ann who each received 50 broiler chicks and 10 bags of feed under a poultry development initiative spearheaded by the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI), in partnership with Discovery Bauxite, Nutramix and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority.

Just a few feet away, fellow farmer Hugh Gordon, shared a similar sense of optimism. Gordon, who operates a small poultry and jerk business, recalled the devastating impact Hurricane Melissa had on his livelihood last October, when dozens of his birds died.

“We’re glad to get another start again. When I have my own chicken, I make more money. But when I have to buy from the truck, I can’t make what I have,” he said, further expressing that for him, rebuilding his flock means rebuilding his business.

“I tell you, I appreciate it… . I’m thankful to JBI and Nutramix very much,” he said. Another beneficiary, Tamara Carty, described the initiative as timely assistance that will strengthen an enterprise she is building.

“I am so elated for this opportunity. I have already started a business but this is an extra boost to the business. Thank you very much,” she said.

In all, some 2,000 chicks were distributed during the handover exercise, which forms part of the JBI’s Bauxite Community Development Programme, aimed at strengthening livelihoods and improving food production in mining communities. The distribution followed a comprehensive poultry-management training programme, during which participants received practical instruction in broiler production, including housing preparation, feeding, disease prevention, biosecurity, record keeping and business management.

Senior Project Officer at the JBI, Wesley Harley, told JIS News that the programme first began in communities served by Windalco and has since expanded into Manchester, Clarendon, St Catherine and now St Ann. He pointed out that beneficiaries were selected through their respective bauxite community councils, ensuring that the support reached residents living closest to mining operations.

The initiative has taken on even greater significance in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which severely affected poultry farmers across sections of the island. Harley noted that the poultry industry is still recovering from the storm and said the project comes at a critical time for many small producers seeking to restore their operations.