The private sector through large scale agriculture companies and small holder farmers have being praised for “holding the fort”.


LDC Managing Director Terry Koim acknowledged large scale industry players for their commitment and interventions that continues to maintain the industry.

“I acknowledge Nuigini Tablebirds, Zenag Chicken, Ramu Agri, Duran Farm and others who persisted through often difficult situations to maintain the supply of fresh meat in the country.


“I also acknowledge the contribution of small holder farmers, whom without any government support for the past 30 years that LDC was non-operational have managed to survive.


“We want to see how we can work with them to improve the sector. We will be having a consultation meeting in the coming weeks and we’d like to have their input in the policies that we are developing,” Koim said.


LDC was established in 1982 by the Somare Government but operations declined in 1992 due to mismanagement and political interference.


The Marape/Rosso Government when taking over Government in 2019 pushed for revitalization of LDC beginning with the appointment of a new Board in 2020.


The establishment of the new Board has seen the reclaimation of over 30 000 hectares of land, reviving the cattle stocks, staff capacity building and good governance measures.


Koim stressed the need for policy and regulatory reforms, better data collection and partnerships with private investors to support small holder farmers and develop the livestock industry.
Speaking at the inaugural National Agriculture Industry Public-Private Sector Partnership Conference in Lae, the Managing Director for LDC, Mr Terry Koim told major industry players including small holder farmers that LDC has sorted out its in-house issues and is now ready to create partnerships that will boost the livestock industry in the country.

Under the guidance of the current Board and Management of LDC, they have reclaimed all LDC owned land with Land Titles, slowing reviving cattle stock as its core business and rebuilding cattle ranches and abattoirs throughout the country.
“Now that I have all the land titles for all LDC land, I am ready to facilitate discussions on how to best develop the land.

“LDC is willing to work with stakeholders who are serious in taking the industry to the next level,” Koim said.

Koim acknowledged the Marape/Rosso Government for appointing a political head for the Livestock Industry, a catalyst needed to boost the sector.

“The decision by the Marape Government to appoint a Political Head for the Livestock industry recognizes the sectoral needs of each livestock and places LDC in a better position to attend to those needs, whether it be sectoral or governance.
“Many of the concerns by either the Cattle Industry or the Poultry have always been taken up by associations formed to represent these sectors.

“With LDC transitioning to an Authority, it puts us at a more advantages position, where LDC can regulate the industry to create an equal playing field.”
Developing a policy and legal framework for the sector is also a priority for LDC.
The draft policy paper has been completed and will soon be available for public consultation.

Other pathways LDC has taken to revive the Livestock Industry in the country includes, capacity building, operational transparency and governance.
“Previously, nobody took the livestock industry seriously, even though we have spent K900m every year importing meat products.

“The government is serious in cutting back in importing meat, but LDC cannot do it on its own, LDC wants to partner with Government authorities, and the private industry.”

National Agriculture Industry Public-Private Sector Partnership Conference is to provide an avenue where all stakeholders in the Agriculture sector can share, connect and network.

The three-day event at the Lae International Hotel will end on Friday.