NASSAU, BAHAMAS— The Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) announced yesterday the opening of a “state-of-the-art” poultry research and training center, which, according to a Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and An island family business, Clay Sweeting will help create a sustainable poultry production program for the Bahamas.
The center will host a layer program at its farm in North Andros. The program is expected to produce about 1.5 million eggs per year and includes some five hundred Rhode Island red layer chicks that were purchased in March.
Sweeting said, “The academy will help create a sustainable poultry production program for the Bahamas. Some 3,800 birds will be housed in this enriched cage system. These birds will complement our egg production program and should produce approximately one million eggs per year.
“In addition, there will be free-range chickens that will also produce eggs. We expect this poultry research and training center to be able to provide higher education opportunities in the Bahamas and the region and provide real-world experience for those looking to get into the lucrative business of poultry farming,” continued Sweeting. “The institute will hold courses and seminars on laying hen rearing, incubation, quality assurance methods and nutrition.”
The Bahamas currently spends $12.5 million on imported eggs and $1 billion on imported food in general.
“While egg production is an important goal for us, our main objective is to broaden the scope of knowledge, experience and exposure of our students, farmers and agro-entrepreneurs through the research center and newly created training”, said the Executive Chairman of BAMSI. , Tyrel Young.
“As an extension of BAMSI College, the Center will focus on the scientific, technical and business knowledge needed to run a successful poultry business,” he added.
In preparation for the launch, the Institute has spent the past three months building a commercial-grade poultry facility equipped with the most technologically advanced and industry-ready environmental control systems. The facility should give students the access needed to explore the process of egg production and poultry management.
From the College’s perspective, the curriculum and training courses will be expanded to include poultry science and a review of commercial production of laying hens and breeders.
“Not only will we produce eggs, but the facility will function as a classroom for our agriculture students and registered breeders to learn about nutrition, breeding, bird physiology, processing technology and management. livestock”, Young said.
The layer program will eventually be joined by a brooding facility, which will also provide space for technical training and academic support for BAMSI students, licensed poultry farmers and agropreneurs.
Eggs produced under the program will initially be sold in New Providence and Andros, with additional poultry facilities expected to be built on other family islands before the end of the year.
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