Minister Mustapha urges Reg. Five farmers to utilise land for sheep rearing

Farmers in Region Five have been allocated five acres each for sheep rearing at the 500 Dairy site in Region Five. So far, 54 plots were distributed out of the available 60.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, is urging the sheep farmers to make use of the lands allocated to them.

During a meeting at the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) office in the region on Saturday, he encouraged livestock farmers to begin rearing their animals on these plots to support the growth of sheep farming in the area.

Minister Mustapha instructed the GLDA to collaborate closely with the farmers to enhance the region’s infrastructure, turning it into a prime pasture for sheep.

“Because if we want to build a brand and we want to produce mutton we have to fatten the sheep. That is why we are designating these areas, exclusively for the production and rearing of these animals,” he stated.

The Minister also addressed concerns regarding mosquito-borne illnesses that could impact the livestock, reassuring attendees that, based on feedback from GLDA doctors, this is not a significant concern.

“So I want yall to ensure you take up the 60-five acre plots. If not, we will have to give other people because we can’t continue to spend money to develop these places and leave it like that,” he revealed.

Minister Mustapha further assured that the Ministry of Agriculture would implement proper drainage systems to manage water in the area, with plans to replicate this initiative in other regions across the country soon.