Demerara Distillers Limited has announced the arrival of the first shipment of breeding cattle for its US$30 million dairy farm at Moblissa, marking a major step in Guyana’s push to reduce dairy imports and expand local milk production.
According to a media release, 89 pregnant heifers were flown in from the United States and arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport aboard a specialised Amerijet charter. The cattle form the first batch of animals for the dairy investment being undertaken by Demerara Dairy Inc.
The company said the animals landed at about 3:30 a.m., triggering a three-hour logistics exercise that saw them transferred from the aircraft to a fleet of flatbed trucks before being moved under police escort to Moblissa along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
DDL said the process was carried out under strict biosecurity protocols and supervised by specialists from the Guyana Livestock Development Authority and company executives to ensure the animals’ welfare. The heifers are now being acclimatised at a modern facility equipped with climate-control features designed to maximise comfort and productivity.
The company described the project as a major strategic investment intended to help Guyana cut its dependence on imported dairy products and strengthen national food security.
DDL Executive Chairman Komal Samaroo said the arrival of the first herd is evidence of the company’s intention to play a transformative role in the sector.
“We are not just building a farm; we are building a sustainable industry that will transform Guyana’s agribusiness sector and provide long-term food security for the region,” Samaroo said.
According to the release, the project also aligns with Guyana’s wider efforts to support the CARICOM food security agenda by increasing domestic agricultural output and reducing the foreign exchange spent on imported dairy.
DDL also thanked a number of state agencies and support teams, including the GLDA, CJIA, Guyana Revenue Authority and Guyana Police Force, for helping to ensure the operation was completed smoothly and without incident.
