Guyana is on course to produce nearly 100,000 tonnes of chicken this year, as the country’s poultry industry continues its rapid expansion driven by government investment in modern farming technology.

According to a report on Guyana’s the Department of Public Information (DPI), Prime Minister Mark Phillips announced on Wednesday that poultry production is expected to reach approximately 99,310 tonnes in 2026.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Agriculture Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme (AIEP) Tunnel-Ventilated Pen Project at Mon Repos, Phillips said chicken production has increased from 43,726 tonnes in 2020 to 91,382 tonnes in 2025, representing growth of almost 109 per cent.

“The poultry industry has been a major driver of this transformation, with production more than doubling in just five years,” the prime minister said.

He said the projected increase this year will allow Guyana to satisfy growing local demand while strengthening the country’s food security and laying the groundwork for future exports.

Phillips attributed the industry’s growth to the government’s efforts to modernise agriculture through technology, innovation and targeted investment in livestock production.

The tunnel-ventilated poultry facilities are designed to significantly improve production efficiency by reducing bird mortality rates from more than 10 per cent to about 2.8 per cent while allowing farmers to raise larger numbers of birds in climate-controlled conditions.

The project, which was conceptualised by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, represents an investment of more than GYD$1 billion (US$4.8 million) in infrastructure, equipment and training. It has expanded the Agriculture Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme across Regions Three, Four and Five.

Five tunnel-ventilated poultry facilities have already been completed at Mon Repos, Cornelia Ida and Onverwagt, with all currently stocked with birds.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said the initiative will continue to expand, with six additional tunnel-ventilated pens expected to become operational before the end of July.

The government is aiming to have 10 fully operational tunnel-ventilated poultry pens by the end of 2026, while extending the programme into Regions Two and Six to further boost national poultry production.

Each facility can house between 20,000 and 45,000 birds, which reach market weight within five to six weeks. With six to seven production cycles annually, each pen is capable of producing between 350 and 450 tonnes of chicken meat per year, helping to reduce Guyana’s reliance on imports while increasing domestic food production.

Beyond production, these modern operations are creating opportunities for young people, with approximately 40 young Guyanese directly managing and operating each pen. The facilities are designed for maximum efficiency, requiring only three staff members per pen while delivering strong economic returns of approximately $283 million in annual revenue and $61 million in annual profit per facility.

The prime minister also noted that discussions are advancing on establishing a vaccine manufacturing facility in Guyana to strengthen livestock biosecurity across the region, while government continues partnering with the private sector to expand local corn and soybean production to lower feed costs.

“The livestock sector has emerged as one of the fastest-growing areas within agriculture, and the momentum continues to build. The work we are doing today is laying the foundation for a more productive, technology-driven and sustainable agricultural sector,” the prime minister said.