In a powerful demonstration of regional cooperation and agricultural progress, St. Kitts and Nevis has completed its first international export of poultry stock—sending 500 day-old chicks from the Bayfords Layer Chicken Hatchery to St. Eustatius (Statia). The milestone marks a defining step in the Federation’s mission to strengthen regional food security and promote self-sufficiency across the Caribbean.
The delivery, which took place on 27th October, 2025, follows the commissioning of the Bayfords Hatchery less than a year ago and reflects the growing success of the Government’s agricultural modernisation drive led by Samal M. Duggins, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources.
“This achievement shows the power of collaboration and consistent delivery,” Minister Duggins stated. “When we began the Bayfords Hatchery project, our vision was clear—to reduce dependency on imports and to help our neighbours do the same. The fact that we are now producing and exporting to support regional development proves that vision in action.”
The chicks were collected in St. Kitts by Dr. Sharon Veira, Unit Manager of Veterinary Services in St. Eustatius’ Department of Agriculture, and transported back to the neighbouring island the same day for immediate distribution to farmers. Dr. Veira hailed the collaboration as a turning point for Statia’s food production, noting that local poultry farmers would now have easier, more affordable access to high-quality chicks.
“This is the start of something transformative,” she said. “We’ve wanted to develop our egg production sector for some time, and being able to source chicks from within the region instead of the U.S. changes everything—from cost to sustainability.”
In a statement shared online, the Government of St. Eustatius expressed its appreciation to Minister Duggins, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Bayfords team, describing the initiative as “a partnership that strengthens food security and reinforces the importance of regional cooperation.”
The Bayfords Hatchery, established through a joint initiative between the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF) and the Ministry of Agriculture, is a centrepiece of St. Kitts and Nevis’ agricultural diversification efforts. The facility produces high-quality layer chicks and supports the Federation’s broader push toward sustainability under the Government’s national agenda of Powering Progress: Building a Resilient Future for All.
This first regional shipment signals the Federation’s transition from consumer to contributor within the Caribbean’s agricultural ecosystem—one committed to innovation, partnership, and shared prosperity. With each new step, St. Kitts and Nevis reinforces its role as a model of agricultural resilience and a driving force in shaping the region’s food-secure future.
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