Corporation takes responsibility of industry

THE Livestock Development Corporation (LDC) will be responsible for looking after the country’s cattle industry, Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Simon says.
“We are now taking stock of all cattle we have in the country to establish how we can assist farmers,” he said.
Simon plans to visit the big cattle ranch at Sialum, Tewai-Siassi, in Morobe, to meet farmers.
“I have heard many sad stories about farmers trying to bring their cattle to find markets in Lae,” he said.
Simon instructed the LDC to charter a vessel on a monthly basis to Sialum to pick up cattle from farmers.
“The farmers in Sialum will be assisted and that means they have to produce the best cattle for the markets.”
He will also discuss with the Sialum farmers how they can be further assisted.
“We will assist them to take their cattle to the abattoir or other markets available,” he said.
Lae does not have an abattoir and they are looking at having one in the province to help farmers.
The LDC will also be reviving the cattle industry in East and West Sepik and other areas.