The country’s main poultry industry body has expressed surprise at a processor’s move to recruit small farmers directly, even as it signalled willingness to collaborate on expanding production and strengthening food security.
The Barbados Egg and Poultry Producers Association (BEPPA) declared its readiness to cooperate with Amir’s Chicken/Fasons Foods, despite being caught off guard by the company’s sudden weekend announcement to directly recruit and support smaller poultry farmers.
BEPPA President Stephen Layne said he was “a little bit shocked” and disappointed that Fasons Foods — a registered member of both BEPPA and the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) — had bypassed the organisation to launch the initiative independently. But Layne stressed there was “no animosity” and that the association welcomed any move that benefits the industry and strengthens national food security.
Reports had been circulating among BEPPA members about a direct outreach campaign by Fasons Foods, which Layne initially treated with scepticism but were confirmed by the company over the weekend.
“I was just a little bit taken aback and surprised about the news breaking,” Layne said. “As a member of the association, I thought it would have been better if we had that discussion in advance … so we could speak with one voice.”
He suggested that prior consultation could have helped direct the company towards farmers best positioned to scale up production, noting that some of those approached by Amir Chicken already operate at full capacity with established markets.
Layne made clear the association was not in conflict with the processor.
“Amir is seeing an opportunity there and he wants to take it,” he said. “We are not in a real conflict here … anything that assists any organisation or company that can support our farmers is of benefit to us as well.”
Layne strongly endorsed expanding opportunities for smaller producers, describing them as a critical backbone of the food supply chain.
“In the recent past, when the bigger producers have failed, they [smaller farmers] were able to step in and supply the market for some of our larger supermarkets and restaurants,” he said.
He noted that integration with small and medium-sized producers — such as those raising between 5 000 and 10 000 birds for operations like the Chickmont Foods Group — is already a well-established model. Layne said he was optimistic that a similar structured relationship could be developed with Fasons Foods to ensure no farmer is disadvantaged.
The development comes at a critical time for the poultry industry, which is bracing for severe seasonal weather challenges. Responding to concerns also raised by Amir’s Chicken about rising temperatures, Layne said BEPPA is rolling out practical technical support.
To combat heat stress and reduce bird mortality, the association has partnered with a paint company to apply heat-reflective coatings to poultry house roofs.
BEPPA is also working with feed suppliers, including the Roberts Manufacturing-owned Pinnacle Feeds, to host seminars aimed at helping smaller farmers manage avian illnesses, secure potable water and maintain profitability amid rising feed costs.
Looking ahead, Layne called for formal talks with Fasons Foods to build collaboration and manage market expansion.
“I believe there is still room for us to have that conversation,” he said. “I remain optimistic that we can proceed along those lines … and put the island in a position where we have security of poultry meat as well as eggs.”
The Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) welcomed the development, with chief executive James Paul noting that contract farming is not new to Barbados.
Barbados Agricultural Society CEO James Paul. (FP)
He pointed out that major processors such as Star Poultry and Gale’s Agro Products have long used similar models, while companies like Maroon Poultry continue to do so.
“What we are seeing is growth in the number of processors who want to use this model,” Paul said. “That is a good thing for the sector, and we would encourage smaller farmers to get on board.”
He offered a candid assessment of the traditional power dynamics in contract farming, noting that relationships between independent growers and large processors can sometimes be uneven.
Paul highlighted the logistical and marketing challenges faced by small-scale farmers, particularly those managing between 1 000 and 15 000 birds, who often lack established distribution networks.
“The challenge is that when those birds are ready, there must be somebody there to take them,” he said. “Certainly, somebody like Fasons Foods who is prepared to provide that service for farmers in terms of marketing the birds — that is good.”
Final pricing, particularly the “farm-gate price” paid to growers, would be crucial in determining the success of such partnerships, he added.
The move could ease recent concerns within the farming community, where reports of large-scale commercial chicken operations had raised fears that smaller farmers could be pushed out.
Having processors such as Fasons Foods, Chickmont Foods and others commit to buying from small-scale producers provides an important safety net, Paul said, ensuring those who have invested in infrastructure can maintain stable production.
“With the expansion and growth in the industry that we are likely to see, you would expect that growth is facilitated by processors … giving opportunities for small farmers who have invested in these chicken pens.”
(RR)
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