Carifeed has launched the first hatchery in Dominica. The animal feed company based in Grand Savanne, Salisbury, has a capacity for hatching 6,480 chicks every 21 days. The animal feed company and hatchery as well as the coming pig farm are established by Jeff Bellot and Charles Gardier.
Bellot said the hatchery was set up to fill the gap suffered by poultry farmers in sourcing for live chicks from outside the country. With the hatchery, he said farmers can obtain broilers and layers cheaply and faster within the country to boost agricultural business. According to him, this venture will also reduce the government’s poultry import bill which currently stands at about USD11 million every year.
The project proprietors said farmers can place their orders for eggs and hatched chicks anytime they want it, but that it is always helpful to order in advance to guarantee availability. Meanwhile, the businessmen stated that the hatchery will boost food security and meat availability in Dominica.
Bellot and Gardier pleaded with the government to remove the VAT placed on fertile eggs since there are no VATs on imported chicks. Given that the company also aims at producing animal and poultry feeds in Salisbury, the owners want the government to equally remove the VAT on raw materials so that the new startup will no experience any developmental hiccups.
Parliamentary representative for Salisbury Constituency, Hector John, lauded the animal feed and hatchery initiative, saying it will generate employment and food security for everyone in Salisbury and the entire country.
According to John, the agricultural startup will put his constituency in the spotlight for agricultural sustenance, and “people from different parts of Dominica can come to Salisbury and ensure that they can get their chicks and go home the same day.” He also added that the establishment “will also strengthens our local entrepreneurs [and give] them the encouragement to do more and to expand.”
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