The Papua New Guinea government is set to redevelop the 20,000-hectare Urimo Cattle Ranch in the Sepik Plains in partnership with New Britain Palm Oil Limited (NBPOL), according to Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru.
Maru said the ranch, once a thriving livestock hub, has been idle since the late 1970s and will be revived as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen domestic beef production.
“Prime Minister James Marape is fully supportive of this project. This will be the largest cattle farm in the country,” Maru said.
The government, through the Ministry of International Trade and Investment and the Livestock Development Corporation (LDC), has reached an agreement for work to begin immediately.
Initial activities will include fencing large sections of the 20,000-hectare property owned by LDC in Urimo and upgrading the Kusaun to Urimo road to support the redevelopment.
“The work on the fencing is expected to start this week and the National Government has committed K10 million for the road upgrade, with the contract to be signed in the coming week. The cattle will be ordered from Sialum in Morobe for the redevelopment of this ranch,” Maru said.
He also welcomed the cooperation of the Minister for Livestock and the Livestock Development Corporation in advancing the project.
Maru said Papua New Guinea currently imports about K250 million worth of beef from Australia annually due to insufficient domestic production.
“This is because we do not produce enough to meet the local demand. That is the reason why the price of beef, including ox and palm, is so high,” he said.
The minister added that increasing local production of meat products presents a significant opportunity for the country.
“Replacing imports of beef and chicken are low-hanging fruits because we can easily raise cattle and chickens in PNG. I am working with potential investors to make sure we produce enough beef and chicken to supply our domestic market and also for exports,” Maru said.
