01/04/2026
Press Statement
Launakalana project empowers Landowners
Rigo, Central Province 300326 – The Launakalana cattle estate’s boundary clearing exercise has been described as a “blessing in disguise” for landowners and communities living in and around the estate.
Commencing in February 2026, the project involves vegetation clearing and grubbing along a 6-meter-wide perimeter stretching 36 kilometres around the property. While its primary purpose is to prepare land for sustainable cattle production, the initiative has also delivered much-needed accessibility and services for villagers who have struggled with poor road conditions and limited access to markets, schools, and health services.
Landowner Vincent Leana of the Kulu clan expressed gratitude, describing the development as a significant step for his people. He emphasized that the project is not only about cattle production but also a gateway to better opportunities for landowners and surrounding communities.
“The project is both a promise of agricultural growth and a pathway to social and economic empowerment for the people of Launakalana,” he said.
For landowners, the clearing exercise signifies a shift from being passive observers to active participants in estate progress, ensuring they share directly in the benefits of infrastructure upgrades and employment opportunities. The cleared boundaries will also serve as access routes, easing transport struggles for villagers bringing goods to market or traveling to service centers in Kwikila.
The project lays the foundation for sustainable herd expansion, improved grazing efficiency, and stronger biosecurity measures. It strengthens the estate’s role in Papua New Guinea’s National Cattle Breeding Program, contributing to food security and reducing reliance on imported beef.
LDC Managing Director Terry Koim emphasized that this transformation is not limited to cattle productivity alone. For landowners and surrounding communities, the cleared boundaries and improved accessibility represent new opportunities for participation, employment, and mobility. He noted that the project directly involves local contractors and villagers, ensuring that the benefits extend beyond the estate’s cattle operations to the daily lives of the people.
According to Mr. Koim, the initiative reflects LDC’s commitment to inclusive development, where landowners are no longer sidelined but actively engaged in shaping the future of the estate. The improved road access will ease transport struggles for villagers, enabling them to bring goods to market, reach schools, and access health services more efficiently.
“This project is as much about empowering the people of Launakalana as it is about strengthening cattle production. By working hand in hand with landowners, we are building a foundation for both agricultural growth and community prosperity,” Mr. Koim stated.
Landowner Vincent Leana at the clearing site.
Ends…//IW