By Eric Haurupma (UPNG Journalism Student) EM TV, Port Moresby
PNG’s largest cattle farm, Koitaki Cattle Farm, is increasing its meat production by 4000 heads this year. The 110 hectares cattle farm will be breeding more cattle, to supply meat throughout the country.
Koitaki Operations Manager, Sonny Aweya said the importation of 4000 heads from the Markham farm, will be the driving factor in boosting its meat supplies in the country.
The farm supplies meat to large supermarkets in Port Moresby and mining centres in Papua New Guinea.
Mr Aweya added that with its huge land area that can cater for more livestock, the Koitaki Farm management is adamant on increasing its meat production by more than 6000 heads.
“Koitaki breeds a range of cattle from bulls to steers”.
Due to their adaptability of environment conditions, and the proposed health risks involved, the management has considered farming the Brahman breed.
It takes about six months to raise cattle. However, raising cattle is a very expensive exercise because of the costs involved in ordering equipment, looking after them and the high costs of medical supplies.
Although the livestock is smaller, the size of this farm offers space for more cattle.
This provides an opportunity for the development of this cattle industry.
In 2009, the management signed an agreement in partnership with the department of Agriculture and Livestock.
This agreement boosted its production with an additional 4000 heads brought over from Markham farm.
The Koitaki Cattle Farm has 20 cowboys and six fence observers to look after the farm; and renowned for supplying high quality meat.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=nxv9ztpDgUc%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
