policy review lae

Following a successful consultative forum in Goroka last week, for the Highlands Region, the government’s livestock specialists on policy matters arrived in Lae today.

The meeting will occur at the Lae International Hotel on the 20th of May 2025. Provincial Representatives, including private sector representatives and institutional experts from the University of Technology and the National Agriculture Research Institute, will share their insights at the meeting.

Livestock Development Corporation Managing Director Terry Koim outlined that a Policy is fundamental in addressing many Livestock challenges to align strategies that encompass the Government’s vision through the National Agriculture Sector Plan and the Medium Term Development Plan 4.

“The Livestock Industry has been operating within a policy vacuum for many years. While credit is given to the private sector for keeping the industry alive, the Government must step up to improve industry conditions that will allow Papua New Guineans, especially smallholder farmers, to get direct benefits.

“A policy will clearly define the functions of the Livestock Development Corporation and allow it to regulate the industry for the better,” explained Koim.

The consultation meeting is to get feedback from stakeholders, both in the private, public sectors, and smallholder farmers, to find workable policies to guide and improve the industry.

The National Livestock Policy aims to ensure that livestock as a resource is developed and managed sustainably for economic growth and improved human livelihoods.

The overall objective of the National Livestock Policy is to develop a competitive and more efficient livestock industry that contributes to the improvement and well-being of various livestock chain actors.

The draft policy covers five pillars, which are;

• Livestock species and products

• Livestock production (upstream)

• Consolidation/aggregation (midstream), processing (downstream)

• Industry Services &

• Cross-cutting, cross-sectoral issues and policies

The Consultative Meeting is open to all stakeholders.

The Nuigini Islands and the Southern Region consultations will be held in June.

A validation workshop will then follow before the draft is submitted to the National Executive Council for endorsement.

The policy will form the basis for the formulation of the Livestock Industry Bill as directed by Prime Minister in 2020.

Ends//

PC: Stakeholder reps flanked by Director General Dr. Nelson Simbiken (Left) and LDC Managing Director Terry Koim (Right) at the NARI head office in Lae…