The poultry industry is one of the most signif­icant and vital industry through all human­kind despite ethnicity, religion and culture where it domesticates in a meat or egg form.

Minister for Agriculture Mahendra Reddy made this comment while handing over 20 A-frame three-tier layer cages to Basha’s Poultry owner Sheik Adam Basha in Tuatua, Labasa last Saturday.

Mr Reddy said Fiji was 80 to 85 per cent self-suf­ficient with poultry and more than 90 per cent of most farmers kept chicken in back-yard in terms of food security and excess surplus income for sales.

Mr Basha thanked Mr Reddy and his ministry for their assistance and support.

“I started this layer farming business in the year 2000 with 100 layer birds which are approximately equivalent back in 20 years ago,” Mr Basha said.

He started just beside his house located (house block) before he relocated to the new site due to environmental and health risk from local authori­ties.

“I have already invested approximately more than $60,000 from own funding from past years through the development and construction of 100ftx30ft lay­er shed plus replacement pullets, cages, chicks and Feeds,” the 50-year-old said.

“Currently operating and managing 700 layers and 500 pullets ready to be productive to be with the assistance provided.”

He collects about 20 trays per daily production.

Along with that, he manages more than 85 goats and 50 sheep in his five acres lease.

“The ministry contributed $13,500 towards the purchase of 20 A Frame 3 tier layer cages and the private sector contributes purchase of pullets, shed extension and feeds for laying stage which accumulates to $18,000 value cost,” Mr Reddy said.

“The projects aims to lift his current stock and add another 1200 birds for commercial production at 79 per cent laying in future.”

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