By Saskia Warrick
The Black Belly Sheep project in Guyana is steadily advancing, with over 300 local births recorded since its inception.
A technical team from Barbados recently visited Guyana to assess the progress of the Black Belly Sheep project.
During their visit, the team conducted an analysis of various aspects, including data management, nutrition programs, reproduction techniques, and the project’s overall sustainability.
One significant aspect highlighted during the visit was the distribution of sheep to local farmers, who were screened and cleared by the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA).
These farmers were required to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU), agreeing to return 10 percent of the purebred sheep within three lambing periods.
Dr. Leroy McClean, a Consultant from the Barbados Ministry of Agriculture, expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress despite challenges such as the ongoing El Niño conditions.
He also discussed the recent arrival of the project’s latest batch of sheep.
Dr. McClean further expressed optimism about potential collaborations between Barbados and Guyana in joint research efforts, particularly following a visit to the Ibini Ranch.
Since the introduction of the two batches of Black Belly Sheep, a total of 367 local births have been recorded.
The GLDA is utilizing DATAMARS for transparent and efficient data management throughout the project.
The Guyanese government aims to boost local mutton production to over 7,000 metric tonnes by the end of 2025, anticipating an annual revenue of $43 million USD.