Stories by RADHICA DE SILVA
Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Cognisant that many families are finding it hard to put food on the table, Vijay Bhagwat, a Moruga-based livestock farmer, is giving away 1,000 guinea chicks to citizens.
Speaking to Guardian Media in an exclusive interview, Bhagwat said it was his way of giving back to the country that supported him.
Bhagwat, who transitioned to poultry farming seven years ago, said the guinea fowl was cheaper to rear and was an excellent source of eggs and meat.
With Trinbagonians consuming over a million broiler chickens weekly, Bhagwat said the guinea fowl offered a healthier and cheaper alternative.
He said his journey with poultry farming began after graduating from the University of the West Indies.
Intrigued by the potential benefits of guinea birds, Bhagwat said he started importing them from the United States.
“Initially, imported guinea Keets/chicks stood at $200 per bird but since we started rearing them ourselves, this cost has since dropped and we now sell at $15 per bird,” he explained.
Today, Bhagwat breeds an impressive range of 16 chicken varieties, including Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Blue Giant, Black Giant, Ayam Cemani, Copper Maran, Ameraucana, Wyandotte, Turkens, Hybrid, Buff Orpington, Light Brahma, and Plymouth Rock.
Insisting that guinea chickens are an underutilised resource, Bhagwat urged the local population to broaden their culinary horizons and take advantage of his free offer.
He said guineas were a speciality dish and can be prepared in the same way as regular chicken.
“The taste is exquisite, and the eggs contain twice the amount of protein than regular chicken eggs,” he said. He added: “They lay eggs very consistently from February to October. The meat is low in fat and low in cholesterol. It is a cheap food source for the household.”
Apart from being a good source of meat and eggs, Bhagwat said guinea chickens were also useful for pest control.
“They control a lot of pests like snails, slugs, ticks, centipedes, scorpions etc. They are also a cheap bird to mind as they spend more time foraging,” he explained.
But despite being a beneficial resource, he said the local utilisation of guinea fowl has been low due to a lack of commercial quantities.
The young farmer, who has successfully managed to lower the cost of guinea chickens to $15 per bird, said he remains hopeful of change.
He attributed his success in reducing prices to economies of scale and his commitment to making nutritious food more accessible to ordinary people amidst rising costs of fuel and labour and feeds for his poultry.
And in the face of increased economic hardships for many families, Bhagwat said he has kept his prices low.
“We have been reducing prices deliberately because we want to meet the pocket of the average person. This is why we decided to give back to our people. Rearing the guinea fowl is easy if you have the space,” he said.
Bhagwat’s hatchery accommodates 4,500 eggs but he said there is now a regional demand for the guinea chicks.
“We have people in Guyana, Suriname and St Vincent and other islands checking us to supply them with guineas. We want to export to the Caribbean. We are at a point where foreign exchange is an issue, but if we export the birds, we can generate forex,” he explained.
Adding to their many benefits, Bhagwat said guinea birds contribute to household security.
“Known as sentinel birds, they are alert to their environment and can notify you of any unfamiliar presence in your yard,” he said.
Bhagwat called on citizens to consider rearing guinea birds not just for their meat and eggs, saying these excellent free-range birds are a valuable asset to the community.
Anyone wanting free chicks can WhatsApp Bhagwat at 369-1354.
