WORLD EGGS & CHICKEN DAY 2023
“World Eggs Day” is celebrated every second Friday in October. This year, October 13th is the date for this celebration under the theme “Eggs for a Healthy Future”. This commemoration began in Vienna since 1996 and is observed in many countries worldwide.
Here in Antigua and Barbuda, we added chicken to the celebration since we acknowledge the fact that either can’t exist without the other and especially since most are still pondering over the question “Which comes first the Chicken or the Egg?” has been debated for many, many years and many more to come. Without any doubt most would agree that both are very important foods in our diets.
Eggs, deemed as a SUPERFOOD by many, offer protein and other needed nutrients at a very low cost. Additionally, chicken is one of the most common and inexpensive sources of meat that most consumes, and both eggs and chicken can make very versatile dishes that are quite delicious.
Quite recently eggs and chicken production were introduced into the Agricultural Science Programme within most government and some private schools. Some of the learning institutions are involved with the rearing of both layers and broilers while others are focused mainly on layers and eggs production.
See below on an average the schools’ contribution to the national demands pertaining to eggs and poultry production:
Date | School | Production |
October- December 2022 | Clare Hall Secondary | 50 Broilers |
Sir Norvelle | 50 Broilers | |
S.D.A Secondary | 200 Broilers | |
Irene B, Glanville, All Saints Sec. | 1500 Broilers | |
January 2023 | S.D.A Secondary | 15.5 cases Eggs |
Glanville | 2.53 cases | |
All Saints Sec | 10.33 cases | |
Clare Hall | 0.83 cases | |
Jan- Mar, 2023 | All Saints Sec | 100 Broilers |
Glanville | 40 Broilers | |
February 2023 | S.D.A. Secondary | 14 Cases Eggs |
Glanville Secondary | 2.07 Cases | |
All saints | 9.33 Cases | |
Clare Hall | 0.68 Cases | |
March 2023 | S.D.A. Secondary | 15.5 Cases |
Glanville | 2.4 Cases | |
All Saints | 10.33 | |
Clare Hall | 0.55 | |
April- Jun 2023 | S.D.A Secondary | 121.33 cases per month |
Jul – September | S.D.A. Secondary | 134.67 cases per month |
Each case holds 30 dozen of eggs
The Ministry of Agriculture would like to commend the schools for their contributions toward the “National Food Security” and would like to use this opportunity to encourage other learning institutions to do likewise bearing in mind that we ALL have our responsibilities and roles to play in “Food Safety, Security, Sovereignty and the Zero Hunger Goal.