Industry steps forward with govt’s vision for self-sufficiency

PNG’s livestock industry has taken two steps forward, in line with the vision of Prime Minister James Marape for the country to be self-sufficient by 2025.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Simon reopened the Bihute Abattoir outside Goroka, on Wednesday, after directing Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) to give back the Zuguru Cattle Ranch at Bena in Eastern Highlands to Livestock Development Corporation (LDC).
CIC took possession of Zuguru in 2014, but Simon ordered that it returned by March 31.
It is envisaged that Zuguru, which covers 600 hectares, can supply enough beef for the entire Highlands and other parts of PNG if stocked up.
Local farmers, with extension services from LDC, will also supply cattle to the abattoir.
Simon was accompanied by Coffee vice-minister Pogio Ghate, Agriculture and Livestock secretary Daniel Kombuk, LDC chief executive officer Terry Koim and their staff and a representative from the Prime Minister’s Office.
An enthusiastic crowd of locals, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, gathered to witness the reopening of Bihute Abattoir.
“The abattoir at Bihute kick-starts the road to recovery for the LDC,” Simon said.
“The abattoir at Bihute has been closed for many years. Now that it is open again, LDC will start raising its own revenue through the Bihute Abattoir.”
Simon said LDC would also open up shutdown abattoirs in Madang, Wewak, Lae and other centres.
“We’re looking at reviving those,” he said.
“It’s all about taking back what is ours.
“There has been a lot of interest shown by local farmers. Everyone seems to be excited about reviving the industry in Goroka.
“We’re looking at having a lot of smallholders, out-growers.
“Our only problem, as I mentioned to the interested farmers, is that we don’t have enough stock.
“We’re looking at getting the Roku quarantine facility (outside Port Moresby) going, which will kick-start the protocol in terms of breeders, which we will bring in from Australia.
“We will then look at out-growers which will lead on to the revival of the cattle industry.”