Government Promises Eggs on Shelves by April

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NASSAU , THE BAHAMAS – Bahamians could begin seeing locally produced eggs on grocery shelves by the end of April. The government is assuring the long-delayed Golden Yolk Project is finally nearing completion.

However, as government celebrates progress on the Golden Yolk Project, the opposition is slamming the timeline and price tag.

Our Delvardo Emmanuel reports.

After months of delays and public scrutiny, the Davis administration says the Golden Yolk egg production facility is nearly complete.

Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Philip Davis, along with agriculture officials, led a media tour to see the progress of the government’s golden yolk project.

Launched in February 2023, the 15 million dollars initiative was aimed at boosting food security by increasing local egg production to as much as 27 to 28 million eggs annually, with the goal of reducing food imports by 12.5 million dollars.

The project also includes plans for 38 egg houses across 12 islands.

While answering questions from reporters, Davis defended the timeline and expressed confidence that production will begin soon.

Philip Davis – Prime Minister

“ My grandparents always taught me it. It is always better late than ever. And we don’t have a never here. And as you can see the houses, are just about ready and complete.I’m advised that we should be having eggs on the shelves by the end of April, the latest.”

The facility includes large climate-controlled layer houses, a feed mill temporary brood house, and a certified processing plant.

Officials say the first 10,000 laying chickens are already in country and have completed vaccination protocols to ensure they are disease-free.

Animal production consultant, Justin Taylor, says those birds will be placed into the nearly completed climate-controlled layer house next month.

Justin Taylor – Animal Consultant

“ The breed of chickens will be the isa brown eggs and lay the brown eggs. Okay. So these chickens are very what, what we call al, they’re very prolific, so we, we expect to have a 8,000 eggs egg per day. “

Officials say the long-term goal is egg self-sufficiency within two years and a major reduction in the country’s current import of approximately 12 million eggs annually.

Even with this announcement, Opposition Leader Michael Pintard, says the project has taken far too long and cost taxpayers millions.

Michael Pintard – Leader, Free National Movement

“ We had a study done paid for by the food and agriculture organization, one of the best consultants in Europe assisted us in evaluating what could be done. And this government not, didn’t, obviously didn’t use the plan, has spent $23 million. We advise and they cannot show. They cannot show what they have done.”

Meantime, Agriculture Minister Jomo Campbell, says the project will help ensure a reliable supply of quality, grade-a eggs for Bahamian consumers while moving the country closer to food security.

Jomo Campbell- Minister, Agriculture and Marine Resources

“  We want to remain competitive at the same time making the Bahamian public aware that they are will be having certified quality grade A eggs “