The new state-of-the-art dairy farm that will be established by local company, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) in collaboration with the Israeli LR group, will use 500 milking cows, a press release from the Israeli Foreign Ministry noted.
Previously, it was reported that Guyana imports about US$25 million in milk products annually. Tropical Orchard Products Company Limited (TOPCO), a subsidiary of DDL, however, wants to produce locally-made milk.
The company already started producing reconstituted milk but with the dairy farm, fresh milk from cows will be used.
See below the full release the Israeli Foreign Ministry:
Senior officials from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs met Demerara Distillers Ltd. Chairman Komal Samaroo and his delegation, who are visiting Israel to finalise a project with the LR Group for the establishment of a dairy farm in Guyana.
Ms. Michal Gur-Aryeh, Director of Department for Economic Relations with Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “We welcome this project, which will be the first state-of-the-art dairy farm in the Caribbean and will make a significant contribution to food security in the region.
Israel is a world leader in dairy farming and other agricultural technologies. We look forward to enhancing our economic cooperation with Guyana”. Mr. Yosef Levi Sfari, Director of Department for the Caribbean in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that “Israel is seeking to deepen its relations with Guyana. We are pleased that Ambassador Itai Bardov will be presenting his credentials to President Irfaan Ali in the coming weeks”.
Chairman of Demerara Distillers Limited, Mr. Komal Samaroo stated that he is pleased to collaborate with the LR Group of Israel on the development of this transformational project which is a significant investment in pursuance of DDL diversification strategy. He noted “the LR Group brings to this Joint Venture expertise and experience in implementing similar projects in Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, Angola, and Philippines among others countries”.
He welcomed the expression of support for this project by the Government of Israel through its Foreign Ministry.
Mr. Ami Lustig, Founder and CEO, LR Group: “LR Group is honoured to form a joint venture with DDL, one of Guyana’s leading companies, for the development of a 500-milking cows dairy farm and the transfer of modern Israeli agro-technologies and know-how. We are excited at the launch of this project, which LR Group regards as the first step towards broader cooperation with Guyana, in the areas of commercial agriculture, water supply, renewable energy, healthcare and more.”