MINISTER for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru, has announced the major collaborations of the Taylor Pacific, an Australian Company, who is set to join the Kumul Agriculture on ownership of Sepik Fresh Poultry Farm.
The Sepik Fresh Poultry located at the Haripmo village in the Yangoru-Sausia district will see the Taylor Pacific become a major owner and shareholder.
Minister Maru said they (Taylor Pacific) bring with a whole lot of experience which can determine and push for positive impact for the Sepik Region and Papua New Guinea.
According to Farm Manager Mr. Chris Prestwood, their goal is to double the production and supply which will ensure the population demand is fully met and able to contain from time to time.
Minister Maru expressed his appreciation for the K30 million invested towards the farm and thanked the Taylor Pacific for taking the initiative to make things possible.
“Taylor Pacific acquisition includes buying of out the interest (shares) of Israeli company, Innovative Agro Industries Limited, and investing a further K30 million to complete the major expansion of the farm under stage 2 and is expected to build five more broiler sheds, increase weekly supply of day-old chicks from 10 000 per week to 20 000-day-old chicks a week and also increase egg supply,” said Maru in a Media conference on Friday.
Mr. John Taylor of Taylor Pacific also expressed that they are ready for the project and aim to do more to provide what is expected for the industry.
He commended the government and Minister Maru for allowing them to contribute and invest in that particular space.
Mr. Taylor said they aims to unroll more of such important projects in the future.
As part of their long-term plans, Taylor said they intend to domesticate protein production and address affordability of protein in the market.
Minister Maru also made known the intention of developing major chicken farm at Vanapa in the Central Province to relief the supply to the Nation’s capital.
He openly mentioned to the Taylor Pacific for their partnership in investing in cattle and stock feed in the Central and Western Highlands provinces.
“I am happy that the Sepik Fresh Farm will pave a way for us to partner each other in the proposed Vanapa Farm in the Central province and other ventures which will include cattle and local production of chicken feed which could result in the creation of up to 5000 jobs,” Minister Maru stated.