The Democratic Collation for Change (DCC) Government is committed to reviving the cattle industry in the country says the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Dudley Kopu.
Mr Kopi said, reviving the cattle industry in the country is one of the priority areas that the government of the day is prioritising as it keen to see Solomon Islands venture back into cattle industry.
Levers Solomon Islands (LSL) and Livestrock Development Authority (LDA) used to run cattle in the country.
However, the cattle industry was affected during the ethnic tension when fighting led to the shutting down of the country’s main cattle stations around Guadalcanal.
In late 2011, Government imported more than 400 herds of cattle from Vanuatu at a cost of $1.2m and were kept at Tenavatu, Central Gaudalcanal ready for distribution.
With the distribution of the first lot of cattle to six local Guadalcanal farmers over the weekend at the Tenavatu farm, the cattle industry in the country is set to kick start its development with local farmers seen as the potential key assert to the cattle industry revival, he said.
The Minster who was also present during the first distribution of the herds of cattle to local farmers at Tenavatu farm over the weekend said, the six first recipients were the lucky ones to be part of getting the industry back on track.
He urged them to look after their cattle as it is important for the redevelopment of cattle industry in the country.
It was revealed the next set of cattle distribution to local cattle farmers will be delayed until next year and the six recipients were the first lucky ones.
Mr Kopu thanked the landowners of Tenavatu farm in Central Guadalcanal for allowing their land to be part of the cattle redevelopment.
He also thanked the hard working staff of Tenavatu farm in successfully breeding the cattle which saw the first distribution of the cattle from the farm to local farmers over the weekend.
By BIRIAU WILSON SAENI
