SARDI is the lead organisation facilitating the adoption of mini feed mills in the monogastric (single stomach) livestock industry in Papua New Guinea to improve smallholder and semi commercial enterprise profitability.

The four year ACIAR project, currently in its first year, involves a diverse collaborative group. Australian partners include SARDI, Primary Industries Industry and Investment NSW, value chain, nutrition and economic consultants. The PNG partners include the Highlands Aquaculture Development Centre, National Agriculture Research Institute, National Fisheries Authority, PNG University of Technology, Christian Leaders Training College, Ok Tedi Development Foundation and Lutheran Development Service.

SARDI Senior Research Scientist Dr Phil Glatz said options included feeding systems for pigs and poultry and information for the intensive commercial industry on suitable higher fibre and lower energy diets that ameliorate the effects of conventional diets.

“Development of user briefs for small scale feed mills will allow the niche pig and poultry sector and game bird industry the option of investing in their own feed manufacturing and produced diets that are cheaper than commercial diets,” Dr Glatz said.

The project is planned to result in a 25% increase in profitability of the monogastric sector in PNG and increase production by 5% per annum, equating to $A47 million per annum.

Dr Glatz said smallholder and semi-commercial aquaculture, pig and poultry farming was making an important contribution to the livelihoods of rural households in PNG.

“Currently the monogastric sector in PNG has a market value of $A190.5 million per annum comprising about 600 000 small farmers,” Dr Glatz said.