Farmers put on an impressive display

Oct 13, 2015 News

The West Berbice Sheep and Goat Farmers Association staged its eighth annual exhibition at the Norman Singh Memorial Turf Club Ground, Number Six Village, West Coast Berbice, on Sunday. The event attracted a large crowd.

One of the farmers at the exhibition.

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, said that he was quite impressed with the display staged by the Association; some 65 percent of the membership is comprised of women, many of them being the heads of households.
Minister Holder classified the event as very important. He said that the efforts of the West Berbice Sheep and Goat Farmers Association could be used as a vehicle to educate people in the regions.
The minister advised the farmers to work on increasing their production as well as to work towards quality production for the Caribbean Region which depend heavily on import. He also assured farmers that the government stands ready to support them. He promised that there will soon be improvement in security and the fight against rustling.
FAO representative, Dr. Reuben Hamilton Robertson, congratulated the association for having put on a tremendous display. He pledged the commitment of the FAO to provide support with the aim of improving management as well as the quality of animals.
Region Five Chairman, Mr. Vickchand Ramphal commended the association for its effort. He suggested that the members of the association organize activities to attract more members. Mr. Ramphal also said that he felt that the association can be used as a model for the rest of the country.
There were prizes on offer for the best animal in each category, and the panel of judges included professionals Dr. Robin Austin –GLDA; Mr. Arnold DeMendonca – IICA; Dr. Nicholas Waldron – Private Vet; Dr. Dexter Allen – GSA.
Some of the things that the judges looked for in assessing the animals, included the overall balance of the animal; fleshing; positive physical masculine or feminine features as the case may be; the loin, back and rump must be meaty, but the animal should not be too fat.
Other attractions included horse race, bun eating competition, and beer drinking completion among others.