SEVENTY cows were reportedly dead at the government’s run Gono Kukufo farm at Mao’a West Kwaio, Malaita Province.
Chairman of Gono Kukufo Association Genesis Lae told the Solomon star during a visit to Gono Kukufo this week that the cause of the mass death is yet to be substantiated but added it could be from the grass they feed on.
A total of 439 herds were shipped to Gono Kukufo under the Government cattle plan to re-introduce cattle farming in the country.
The cattle were imported from Vanuatu. Gono Kukufo is one of the farms used to breed the cattle.
Mr Lae said those who are looking after the cattle are working hard to ensure the remaining ones are properly looked after.
“At the moment, there’s no proper grass feed. We have had the assistance of some agriculture officers who visited us last month to help us grow proper grass for these cattle.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) has deployed additional staff to the farm ito monitor the situation.
Permanent secretary (PS) MAL Jimmy Saelea said the herd died due to lack of proper pasture at the farm.
“Officers already conducted ground diagnoses on the cows that died and deployed additional staff.
“We will get to the root of the problem when the team comes up with their report.”
By William Ekotani
In Auki
