Kinloss poultry farmers embrace life after sugar cane

Former sugar cane farmers in Kinloss, Trelawny, have gone into animal husbandry and other economic pursuits since the decline of king sugar.

Through the support of the Caribbean Community and Common Market's Food and Nutrition (CARICOM FaN) Project, nine farming families in Kinloss have seen significant improvement in their income and nutrition since its roll-out in the community in June.

Among the beneficiaries is Sybil Vincent, a poultry farmer, who has been rearing broiler chickens for years. She says she is enjoying reasonable success from the project, noting that it has enabled her to become financially independent.

Vincent said that while she has encountered several challenges as a poultry farmer, including hikes in production costs and a slump in the market due to the pandemic, she has not been discouraged.

"Although it's rough and tough sometimes... you have to give God thanks for what you have. I would encourage other persons to go and try it and see what difference [in their financial status] they can make out of it," she said.

The CARICOM FaN initiative facilitates funding for engagements designed to generate employment and food security in developing regions like the Caribbean. It also focuses on addressing the growing number of persons in CARICOM states living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes and hypertension, and increased cases of childhood obesity. It does this by improving household nutritional security and public health in general.

Kinloss is one of 10 communities islandwide where the initiative is being undertaken. A sum of US$7,000 was provided to purchase broilers, chicken feed, medicine, equipment, and building material for the participants in Kinloss.

They established the Kinloss Poultry Farmers' Co-operative through which they benefit from financial assistance and extension services provided by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).

Vincent was an established poultry farmer prior to getting involved in the project. She said that the co-operative approach and support from RADA have improved her record-keeping skills, increased her knowledge of chicken rearing, and her general approach to farming.

She said that in light of her success, she encourages other persons in the community to get involved in the programme. She said that with RADA's help, her group is seeking to meet market demands, adding that as the tourist industry opens up, the purchasing power of residents of Kinloss and adjoining districts is expected to further improve.