Corporation partners with district to manage livestock

THE Livestock Development Corporation (LDC) has partnered with Maprik Investment Ltd (MIL) in East Sepik to manage two major livestock projects.
MIL is the business arm of Maprik development authority.
A memorandum of understanding was signed yesterday between LDC managing director Terry Koim and MIL managing director Otto Wangilen.
The focus of this agreement is to set up appropriate development plans that will see the two major livestock projects – the Kwimbu cattle ranch and the piggery projects – developed and key areas identified to ensure the smooth operation of these revenue generating projects.
These major projects had been set up in 2015 by local MP John Simon with a vision to revive the livestock industry in East Sepik, over 100 cows were part of a shipment that arrived in Maprik from Lae.
These projects were funded by the Maprik DDA, however, with limited development avenues the project faced difficulties in sustainability.
Simon, who is also Agriculture and Livestock Minister, believed that rehabilitating these projects would see his goal accomplished with assistance from the LDC.
The major goal of the cattle project for Maprik to become the major beef distributor in East Sepik and eventually to other provinces.
Koim said there was great potential for the Kwimbu cattle ranch and piggery in Pachi to become the main distributors in beef and pork in East Sepik and eventually the country.
He said the agreement would see LDC provide development avenues including skills training for locals to manage the projects.
“There is an aim to see Kwimbu become the breeding centre for cattle in the Central Sepik region,” Koim said.
He said there was a possibility of extending the size of the ranch.
“LDC will also be looking at bringing in veteran supplies to ensure that the cattle are in a healthier state to proceed into the next phases of rehabilitating this livestock project.”