The Ministry of International Trade and Investment (MITI) and the Livestock Development Corporation (LDC) have formalised a partnership to accelerate the development of Papua New Guinea’s cattle industry, with a focus on reducing the country’s reliance on imported beef.
LDC Managing Director Terry Koim met with Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru on Tuesday, where the two sides agreed to work closely to develop key LDC landholdings into large-scale cattle production zones.
Maru said his ministry and department would support LDC to transform its land at Urimo in East Sepik, Baiyer in Western Highlands and Launa Kalana in Central Province into major economic zones for cattle production.
“My ministry and department will work very closely with LDC to develop their land at Urimo in East Sepik, Baiyer in Western Highlands and Launa Kalana in Central Province into large-scale economic zones to raise cattle,” Maru said.
He said the initiative is part of the government’s broader push to grow domestic cattle production and replace all beef imports.
“The highest priority will be given to the redevelopment of Urimo Cattle Station in East Sepik where LDC has 20,000 hectares of land,” Maru said. “LDC also has 68 hectares of land in Wariman, Wewak, where the abattoir will be located.”
Maru said PNG has significant potential to produce enough cattle to meet domestic demand, noting that rising imports are driving up prices for local consumers.
“There is huge potential to produce cattle in the country to replace all beef imports,” he said. “We are seeing a 100 percent increase in the price of ox and palm due to the importation of Australian beef because we don’t produce enough.”
He said MITI is prepared to provide strong support to LDC through a structured arrangement that aligns with the corporation’s mandate and governance.
“We are ready to support LDC in a very big way in a scheme of arrangement that is acceptable to LDC and its board,” Maru said.
The partnership is expected to strengthen the domestic livestock sector, improve food security and create new economic opportunities in rural areas, particularly in provinces identified for large-scale cattle development.
