THE Government remains committed to livestock arrangements, structural developments and survey progressions in Malaita, Guadalcanal, and Western province.

This is according to the summary of the Democratic Coalition for Change Government policy achievements of the productive and resource sector provided to Island Sun by the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC).

Livestock are domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber, and labor.

The term is often used to refer solely to those raised for food, and sometimes only farmed ruminants, such as cattle and goats.

According to the summary provided, under the Livestock Programme on Cattle Development, cattle farmers on Malaita and Guadalcanal have been distributed tools and fencing materials after being approved.

“Planning and negotiation for import of cattle from Fiji is progressing and livestock policies and strategies have been developed,” the summary states.

The Tenavatu Cattle farm on Guadalcanal has more plans of being distributed cattle through arrangements by the Government.

“Distribution to smallholder cattle farmers has started in September, where six selected smallholder farms are receiving 10 – 20 heads of cattle mainly in the vicinity of the Tenavatu Cattle Farm.

“This programme will continue from then on where material support to selected farmers will be provided as well,” it further adds.

The number of cattle at the farm has increased enabling the distribution programme to kick-off and Live Cattle distribution to seven smallholder farmers of a total of 110 have been done so far.

The summary states that they have done slashing of paddocks for pasture rehabilitation at Tenavatu farm as well.

As for the Ilolo Cattle Farm in Vangunu, Western Province, preparation of the 500 hectare farm continues.

The Ilolo Cattle Farm is a private-public partnership programme.

The summary confirms that preparation of 200 cattle heads shipment to Ilolo continues and about 70   plus heads of cattle shipped to Ilolo Farm in Western Province in May last year with more cattle import arrangements from Fiji still in progress.

The Gonokukufo Cattle Farm, West Kwaio, Malaita Province, states that cattle heads increasing to nearly over 400 heads and with plans to start distribution to enable de-stocking.

It further states that the Plan and Bill of Quantity for the livestock office on Malaita has been completed and expression for tender bids have been sought with an advertisement made in the papers in June last year.

The summary states that ‘distribution’ is to start this month.

For Small Livestock Development, under the Government Livestock Grant, poultry and pig farmers are being assisted in developing small enterprises of broiler, layer chickens, piggery and honey projects and has been ongoing.

Animal health survey commenced in conjunction with Biosecurity (Solomon Islands) and Biosecurity Australia with focus on pigs and poultry first.

The DCCG policy achievement summary adds that cattle blood sampling was done on Tenavatu cattle for presence of the blue tongue virus and traps were set out for cullicoides flies vectors for blue tongue transmission.

Livestock development progressions remain a priority of the DCC Government as per their policy achievement summary as at October 2016.