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Hi-Pro Veterinarian, Dr Kathy-Ann Leon, speaks to farmers in St Thomas during the company’s recent feeder meeting in the parish. Over 30 farmers were in attendance and benefitted from the information session.
Over 30 chicken farmers in St Thomas attended a Hi-Pro Feeder Meeting that was hosted in the parish recently.
The meeting was focused on educating farmers on best practices, leveraging new technologies, and effectively addressing challenges in the poultry sector as they recover from Hurricane Beryl and prepare for the busy Christmas season.
In addition to an information session, each farmer received 80 baby chicks to boost their flock.
Florence Stewart, a farmer of Morant Bay, St Thomas, was all smiles as she received her 80 baby chicks from Aston Hall, Technical Sales Representative, Hi-Pro, after attending the recent feeder meeting hosted in the parish by the company.
Yearly, Hi-Pro donates over $4 million in resources and expertise to support the feeder meetings, impacting approximately 9,000 farmers across the country. The meetings, which are hosted twice monthly by Hi-Pro’s technical representatives and veterinarians, are organised in collaboration with partners like the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), and various community organisations.
“Education and training are core components of Hi-Pro’s mission,” stated Colonel Jaimie Ogilvie, Vice President of Hi-Pro, as he addressed the St Thomas farmers.
“As small farmers producing 30 per cent of Jamaica’s chicken meat, you play a vital role in our economy and in ensuring food security. That’s why it’s so important for Hi-Pro to host these meetings – to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed and strengthen this critical sector.”
Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Minister, Floyd Green, who attended the meeting, thanked Hi-Pro for engaging farmers across the island through the feeder meetings, and emphasised the importance of collaboration between the Government and private sector partners to promote best practices among farmers.
Poultry farmer Marcia Renford (centre) of Arcadia district in St Thomas poses with Floyd Green (left), Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, and Colonel Jaimie Ogilvie, Vice President of Hi-Pro, at a feeder meeting that was recently hosted in the parish by the company.
“Commendations to the Hi-Pro team for being here and engaging all of you, said Green. “We’ve gone through a number of weather events, from Beryl to Rafael... Many of you have lost birds and are looking to rebuild and to rebound.
“But the most important thing during this period is training… So it is very important that we work with our private partners like Hi-Pro to engage you in the best practices. This is not just raising chicken for raising chickens’ sake; it is a business, and we want you to make money and be profitable,” said Green.
Hi-Pro’s said its commitment to hosting the sessions year-round underscores its dedication to ensuring that farmers are well-prepared to meet demand, maintain best husbandry practices, and overcome challenges that are presented by unforeseen events.
