APRIL 26 2022
Livestock Development Corporation (LDC) now has an established cattle-buying point at remote Sialum in Tewai-Siassi, Morobe, to supply cattle to the whole country, according to LDC Managing-Director Terry Koim.
The LDC has already built a stock yard, rehabilitated the jetty and will next be looking at building an abattoir in Sialum.
The is in line with the Marape Government’s aim of putting money into the pockets of rural people as well as working towards self-sufficiency in livestock production.
The project has the full support of Morobe Governor Hon. Ginson Saonu and Tewai-Siassi MP Hon. Dr Kobby MP, both members of PM Marape’s ruling Pangu Pati, who were present with Koim at remote Kanome Station in Sialum on Sunday (April 24 2022).
Sialum has hundreds of cattle freely wandering around the green hills which can meet the needs of the whole country.
However, nothing has been done to help Sialum cattle farmers over the years, until Agriculture and Livestock Minister Hon. John Simon made a commitment to buy their cattle during a visit in February 2021.
The people of Sialum have been known to walk for weeks with their cattle to Lae to look for markets.
Koim said at Kanome on Sunday that customers were already lining up to buy cattle, one of the first being Central Provincial Government, to revive the Launakalana Cattle Ranch in Rigo.
He brought with him Central Provincial Administrator, Francis Koaba, to Sialum to meet the people and see for himself what they could produce.
The Central Provincial Government under the leadership of another Pangu strongman, Governor Hon. Robert Agarobe, recently signed an agreement with LDC for 600 cattle to be shipped from Sialum to Port Moresby and on to Launakalana Cattle Ranch and well as develop the industry there.
The first 300 cattle are ready to be shipped and will open the floodgates for Sialum to supply cattle to the whole country.
“The first 300 cattle from Sialum will be sent to Central Province, then to other parts of Morobe and the Momase Region, the New Guinea Islands and the Highlands,” Koim said.
“Sialum cattle will be sent to all LDC establishments throughout the country to grow the cattle industry.
“The forgotten people of Sialum, who for the last 50 years have been struggling to find a market for their cattle, now have the market at their doorsteps.
“This proves that the Marape Government is not just talking, but taking action, to improve the lives of the people.
“I appeal to the people of Sialum to work with the LDC.
“We have already brought a vehicle here, sent extension officers here, and have built a stockyard.
“I urge the people of Sialum to take ownership of this project so that we can grow it into the future for your benefit.”