Guyana is rapidly modernising its poultry industry with the rollout of advanced tunnel-ventilated poultry pens, part of a broader national push to strengthen food security, reduce imports and position the country as a major agricultural producer for the Caribbean region.
Details of the initiative were highlighted by President Dr. Irfaan Ali in a Facebook post on Monday, where he shared photographs of several newly completed tunnel-ventilated poultry facilities now in operation across the country.
The new climate-controlled facilities, already completed at Mon Repos, Cornelia Ida and Onverwagt, are introducing world-class poultry production technology to Guyana, replacing many traditional farming methods with highly efficient, automated systems capable of significantly increasing local meat production.
Each state-of-the-art pen can accommodate between 20,000 and 45,000 birds, with chickens reaching market weight within just five to six weeks. The facilities are currently stocked and performing strongly, according to information shared by the President.
The modern operations are expected to produce between 350 and 450 tonnes of poultry meat annually through six to seven production cycles each year, substantially reducing Guyanaโs reliance on imported poultry products while strengthening national food security.
The initiative forms part of Guyanaโs wider agricultural diversification strategy being pursued by the Ali administration, which has been aggressively investing in large-scale food production, agro-processing, climate-resilient farming and regional food supply chains.
President Ali has consistently maintained that Guyanaโs food security agenda is focused first on ensuring affordable and reliable food supplies for Guyanese citizens before expanding exports to Caribbean markets.
The government has also aligned its agricultural expansion with CARICOMโs regional food security agenda aimed at reducing the regionโs heavy dependence on imported food through greater local and regional production.
Officials say the tunnel-ventilated poultry facilities represent a major leap forward in agricultural technology in Guyana, using advanced ventilation, temperature control and production management systems to improve efficiency, animal health and output.
Beyond food production, the project is also creating opportunities for young people. Approximately 40 young Guyanese are directly involved in managing and operating each facility, helping to build a new generation of technologically skilled agricultural workers and entrepreneurs.
The facilities are designed for maximum efficiency, requiring only three staff members per pen while generating an estimated G$283 million in annual revenue and roughly G$61 million in annual profit per facility.
Government officials say the investment reflects Guyanaโs long-term vision of building a resilient and competitive agriculture sector capable of supporting national development while contributing to regional food stability.
The poultry expansion is among several major agricultural initiatives being advanced under President Aliโs leadership as Guyana seeks to diversify its economy beyond oil production and establish itself as a regional food hub.
Officials said the tunnel-ventilated poultry programme demonstrates how modern technology can transform traditional farming sectors while improving productivity, lowering costs and strengthening food resilience across Guyana and the wider Caribbean.
