Innovative Agro Industry (IAI) have achieved a milestone in their plans to produce dairy products locally by October this year at Ilimo Farms.
Last Saturday saw the arrival of 515 pure Holstein dairy cows in Port Moresby. The cows arrived from New Zealand aboard a specially chartered freighter.
They were sourced from premium New Zealand herds and range in age from 13 - 20 months. Prior to departing New Zealand on the 18th of May, the cows were given all necessary vaccinations and some underwent artificial insemination in Taupo.
The cows were moved to their new home at Ilimo Farms in specially modified containers, where they will undergo the quarantine process under the supervision of NAQIA officers.
The dairy project, valued at US$ 40 million, is a joint venture between IAI, Central Province Government and the National Government. The location of the project, Ilimo Farm, belongs to the people of Central Province.
IAI Chairman Ilan Weiss said the cooperation they received from NAQIA and the Department of Agriculture was phenomenal. A special import protocol had to be drafted for the cows to be imported.
“The agreement between NAQIA and the New Zealand Government was reached, thanks to the hard work of all parties involved,” stated Weiss.
IAI have been operating in PNG since 2011, and have completed many agriculture projects all over the country, including the Nine Mile Farm in Port Moresby. Bringing the best of their native Israeli farming technology to PNG, the IAI teams have been working with communities to complete various agriculture impact projects in some of the most remote parts of PNG.
IAI plan to have a range of locally produced quality dairy products on supermarket shelves in Port Moresby by October this year.