BAIC is encouraging Bahamians to pursue poultry production. These chickens are from Ricardo Johnson’s operation at Love Hill, North Andros. (BIS photo/Gladstone Thurston)

Andros, Bahamas - Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) chairman Edison M. Key wants to help increase the local production of poultry products.

With the assistance of College of The Bahamas poultry scientist Ronald Justin Taylor, BAIC is planning instructional facilities for the North Andros agri-industrial park.

“There is a huge market for poultry products in The Bahamas,” said Mr Key on Tuesday as he toured the park. “Chicken is a mainstay of the national diet.

“And, although chickens are relatively easy to raise, the vast majority of our poultry products, to the tune of many millions of dollars, is imported.”

BAIC executive chairman Edison M. Key enjoys a sample from the greenhouse unit at the North Andros agri-industrial park. (BIS photo/Gladstone Thurston)

Mr Taylor, Inter-American Institute for Co-operation in Agriculture representative Dr Marikis Alvarez, BAIC general manager Benjamin Rahming, and assistant general managers Judith Thompson (land) and Arnold Dorsett (agriculture) accompanied Mr Key.

Mr Taylor who has a master’s degree in poultry science, is a poultry specialist and lecturer at the College of The Bahamas where he is engaged in research in poultry nutrition, husbandry and related aspects.

College of The Bahamas poultry specialist Ronald Justin Taylor examines egg production at the Ricardo Johnson operation at Love Hill, North Andros on Tuesday. (BIS photo/Gladstone Thurston)

“We import 100 per cent wings and leg quarters from the United States,” he observed. “These are sourced from places like Brazil at reduced cost and somewhat like dumped into the Bahamian market.

“So, the market for a fresh Bahamian product, which is superior to the imported products, is wide open.”

Tomatoes are in full production at the North Andos agri-industrial park greenhouse. (BIS photo/Gladstone Thurston)

He said centrally located Andros “has what it takes” for poultry production - lots of land and a good supply of fresh water.

“Consumers in today’s society are looking for fresh locally produced birds,” he said. “A bird straight from... the Bahamian environment can naturally sell itself, without a doubt.”

He pointed out that there is no certainty about the shelf value of imported eggs.

BAIC assistant general manager Judith Thompson (right) takes samples from the North Andros greenhouse unit during a tour on Tuesday. (BIS photo/Gladstone Thurston)

“No one knows where they came from, how long have they been traveling, what their storage life is. Therefore you will have more chance of bacterial infection and reduced egg quality.

“Locally produced products limit these factors in terms of ease of availability of these products.”

Mr Key envisioned small to medium-size operations, especially in egg production, being established in communities throughout the islands.

Ricardo Johnson (left) who operates a small family poultry unit at Love Hill, North Andros, and College of The Bahamas poultry specialist Ronald Justin Taylor share views during a visit on Tuesday. (BIS photo/Gladstone Thurston)

“We met with several persons who seem to have great interest and some experience in poultry production.

“Through this initiative we can supply the local market in such a way that we do not have to depend on product of dubious quality. We can produce a fresher product, and create a lot of jobs.”

Ricardo Johnson of Love Hill manages a family-size operation of just under 200 chickens. He said each harvest sells out.

“Maybe his operation can be developed into a demonstration unit so other people can see what can be done,” said Mr Key

He said he was “very pleased” with the quality of produce coming out of the greenhouse in the agri-industrial park.

“The peppers and tomatoes are as good as you can get,” he said.

“This is a demonstration unit that we put in to show the many advantages of various techniques of growing.

“That is an indication of what we can do all over the Family Islands,” said Mr Key.