St Kitts Sends First Batch of Chicks to Statia in Landmark Regional Agriculture Partnership

The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis has notched another major win for regional food security with the successful shipment of 500 day-old chicks from the Bayfords Layer Chicken Hatchery to St Eustatius (Statia) on Monday, October 27.

The milestone marks the first regional export from the state-of-the-art hatchery, which was commissioned less than a year ago at the Bayfords Livestock Centre of Excellence. The project is part of a wider push to position St Kitts and Nevis as a leader in agricultural innovation and sustainability across the Caribbean.

The chicks were received by Dr Sharon Veira, Unit Manager of Veterinary Services at Statia’s Department of Agriculture, who praised the new partnership for helping local farmers boost egg production and reduce reliance on imports. “This is a big step forward for Statia,” she said. “Working with St Kitts allows us to source quality chicks closer to home and build our poultry sector sustainably.”

Upon arrival, the chicks were distributed to local farmers the same day — providing immediate support to the island’s food production efforts.

In an official statement, the Government of St Eustatius thanked Minister Samal Duggins and his team for what it called a “successful first regional dispatch” that strengthens food security and underscores the value of collaboration between Caribbean neighbours.

Minister Duggins said the achievement reflects the Federation’s focus on building a self-reliant food system. “When we first set out to establish the Bayfords Hatchery, our goal was simple — to make St Kitts more resilient and less dependent on imports,” he said. “Now we’re seeing that same vision expand regionally. This is transformation in action.”

The Bayfords Hatchery, developed under the Layer Chicken Industry Sustainable Development Project in partnership with the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF), represents one of the most advanced agricultural facilities in the Eastern Caribbean.

With this first regional shipment complete, St Kitts has firmly positioned itself as a growing hub for agricultural excellence — helping to feed not only its own people, but its neighbours too.