Livestock development plan too broad
LAST Feb 27, I heard Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Hickey on Radio Australia, Papua New Guinea Service, talking about rehabilitating run-down cash crops establishments or plantations.
He also touched on the stagnant state of the livestock industry in the country. His comments were made with regard to the National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP).
Plan for livestock development in the country had been outlined or formulated under the NADP.
However, I feel that the plan is very broad and there is no indication of plan or programme.
Several agencies like Livestock Development Corporation (LDC), National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA), National Department of Agriculture and Livestock (NDAL), National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) and Provincial Department of Agriculture and Livestock (PDAL) are mentioned under the livestock production system.
It is not clear which organisation is actually implementing the plan.
NARI is involved in research, NAQIA is concerned with biosecurity and NDAL through Food Security Branch, is involved to some extent, mainly reproduction and production and distribution from Erap Resource Development Centre in Lae.
It is not clear what LDC, the organisation which is given the responsibilities of developing livestock industry in the country, is doing now.
A division of livestock should be created within the NDAL and incorporated with the Science and Technology Branch of the Provincial Agriculture and Technical Services.
Some of the broad objectives of the division will be as follow:
1. Formulate a policy/work plan for the development of livestock industry in PNG, in line with NADP;
2) Formulate development plans for individual domestic species with regard to research, reproduction and production;
3) Actual monitoring of the livestock development activities (reviews) and make necessary alterations or recommendations. This will concern development of small semi-commercial or commercial farmers in collaboration with PDAL and district livestock development officers (objective 1);
4. Monitor the development of livestock industry in the country. The data will be collected, recorded and prepared for presentation to relevant organisations, groups and interested individuals. Also the data will be used for advisory purposes, analysis, corrections and further development or adjustments;
5. Conduct refresher courses or training for the field officers and train para-vets within the country to assist in providing animal welfare services which will lead to an increase in animal production and products; and
6. Provide constant technical support and information including marketing.
To revive the livestock industry within the agriculture sector, I strongly suggest that a livestock branch be established within the NDAL.
The present work done under the Food Security Branch, in my opinion is not doing enough. The livestock branch will be given the responsibilities of formulation a work plan or policy in line with the NADP 2007-17, covering, research, reproduction and production, distribution in collaboration with the PDAL, training, monitoring and evaluation.
Once this is done, small semi-commercial or commercial farmers will be established who will act as model farmers. With the correct technical and extension support from the qualified scientific officers, they would be able to produce adequate cheap quality meat for the local market.
When this has been achieved, the point made by the Health Minister Sasa Zibe regarding high fat food products will be effectively minimised; otherwise the cheap lamb flap will be here to stay.
Furthermore, with the establishment of the livestock division and in collaboration with NARI and other stakeholders, some of the points mentioned by Pake Lae of the Highlands Agriculture College last Jan 3 will be possible to achieve, such as mending livestock handling facilities and setting up of facilities for artificial insemination, including training of inseminators.
Finally, I fully support Dr Thomas Vinit on what he has said and initiated so far regarding the life style associated diseases.

Dr Gibasa B. Asiba, NDAL, Lae
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