Agriculture Ministry to Consumers: No Shortage of Chickens in the Country

Agriculture Ministry to Consumers: No Shortage of Chickens in the Country

The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries denies a claim being made by Ravi Ratiram, Member of Parliament (MP), that there is a shortage of local chicken on the market. Our local chicken processors have advised the Ministry that they continue to meet the ongoing demands for chicken, heading into the peak Christmas and end of year periods.

With the decision to also extend the Food Box Program for an additional three (3) months from October to December, 2021 and the demand for local chicken with the reopening of bars and food businesses, the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) was able to acquire chickens on credit terms on certain days and in specific quantities. On that basis, local chicken is included with the food boxes when chicken is available to NAMDEVCO.

In addition, during the October/November period, some MPs requested that no chicken be included with the food boxes because their constituents were observing the traditional fasting period.

Both the Ministries of Finance and Agriculture, Land and Fisheries are collaborating to fund the current liabilities to local chicken processors and farmers as already approved by Cabinet and to do so before the Food Box Program completes the current cycle on December 22, 2021.