In a major move to boost local food security and protect vulnerable agricultural workers, Fasons Foods, the producer of Amir’s Chicken, has announced a new initiative targeting small-scale poultry farmers across Barbados.
The company recently upgraded its poultry processing plant to handle several tonnes of poultry per hour. This enhanced capacity will allow Fasons Foods to onboard more small farmers, who currently account for roughly 20 per cent of the island’s poultry production.
Chief Executive Officer Amir Juman explained that the decision stems from surging local demand for fresh products in the retail and restaurant sectors.
Juman indicated that by integrating small farmers into their commercial supply chain, the company aims to stabilise the market and shield them from volatile economic shifts.
“A lot of small farmers change hands year in, year out, and that happens because sometimes they may not have a market,” Juman stated at a media conference on Saturday. “We want to … be a means of protection for these small farmers. As the economy grows, the small farmers will grow.”
Beyond market access, the initiative offers critical technical support to combat industry challenges like high summer mortalities and biosecurity risks. Fasons Foods plans to deploy dedicated field personnel to guide small farmers through sustainability and climate-management practices.
While a higher tonnage promises better economies of scale, Juman emphasises that the primary goal is national stability. “This will help stabilise the economy and make a very big difference regarding having poultry readily available in Barbados.”
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