Poultry farmers in northwest Clarendon are to benefit from a $1-million boost shortly.

The money is to be used to encourage young people, especially single mothers, to enter the poultry sector.

Member of Parliament Michael Stern explained that the money is to come from the constituency's development fund.

Stern told The Gleaner during an interview that the money would go towards two projects in particular.

The first project will boost layer chickens; the second will increase produce chickens for the meat market.

He explained that three clusters to produce layers are to be established in the Frankfield area of the constituency, while individuals from some communities that are near to major town centres, such as Thompson Town, Spaldings and Frankfield, are to benefit from the production of chicken.

targeting young mothers

"There are a lot of young ladies who are single mothers who can't make two ends meet and who do not have any jobs. I am going to target a lot of these people. I am going to make sure that they build a little coop behind their homes and over time, expand these coops and produce these chickens," said Stern.

According to Stern, contact would be made with large companies with a view to having them purchase weekly from the small producers in the constituency.

Stern stated that he intends to invest $500,000 in layers and the remaining amount in chickens for consumption. He explained that persons who will be involved in the projects will be selected after training and providing proof they (poultry farmers) have coops to accommodate the birds.

He added that persons would have to go through the Rural Agricultural Development Autho-rity to access training.

- George Henry