The Kwara State government has launched a statewide artificial insemination programme targeting thousands of cattle to improve breeds and boost milk and dairy production.

The programme is being implemented in partnership with Genex URUS, an American international animal breeding company.

The Press Secretary, Ministry of Livestock Development, Ahmed Ajiboye, disclosed this in a statement released in Ilorin on Sunday.

The Commissioner for Livestock Development, Oloruntoyosi Thomas, said the programme would begin with the insemination of 500 cattle in September.

Ms Thomas said the government hoped to inseminate about 1,000 cattle by the end of the year before expanding the programme.

“One of the ways to improve breeds is through artificial insemination. We are going to inseminate thousands of cattle across the state. We started the process this month with the synchronisation of the animals, and now we are doing the insemination,” she said.

The commissioner said plans were underway to establish an artificial insemination centre in Malete and replicate the facility in other communities.

She described the intervention as part of government efforts to transform livestock production and improve farmers’ access to quality breeding services.

Ms Thomas said the government was also training artificial insemination technicians to ensure the sustainability of the programme.

She stated that the students from tertiary institutions and youths from pastoralist communities were participating in the training.

According to her, the training will improve cattle synchronisation, reduce costs and increase the success rate of artificial insemination.

The commissioner led a delegation comprising ministry officials, SAPZ and L-PRES representatives to TGB Farms in Ganiki, Ilorin South Local Government Area.

The delegation also included Animal Production students from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, Malete and the Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

The team carried out artificial insemination on cattle at the farm and assured farmers of improved access to the intervention.

The Director of Livestock in the ministry, Ahmed Umar, expressed optimism that the programme would achieve an 85 per cent success rate.

Mr Umar urged stakeholders to support the initiative and cooperate with the government to ensure its success.

“We want to develop this sector the way it should be developed by having improved breeds. This cannot be done alone. All stakeholders must come together to ensure success. That is where we are at the moment,” he said.

The Team Lead, Genex URUS, Dr Saka Shittu, commended the state government for participating in the artificial insemination programme.

Mr Shittu urged cattle owners, particularly Fulani and smallholder dairy ranchers, to embrace the initiative.

“We appeal to all farmers, especially our Fulani colleagues and small-holder dairy ranchers, to key into this programme,” he said.

He said farmers with questions or reservations should contact L-PRES, the programme’s sponsor in Kwara.

Mr Shittu said the artificial insemination service was currently free, adding that the programme would initially focus on cattle.

He explained that improved semen selected to enhance dairy production would be used under the programme.

Mr Shittu said each farmer was entitled to have two cattle inseminated free of charge and urged farmers to take advantage of the opportunity.

The Director of TGB Farms, Ishola Peace, commended the government for extending the programme to the farmers. 

She stated, “Thank you very much. We really appreciate you for coming down to our farm and giving us the privilege to be one of the farms selected.”

An animal production student at the University of Ilorin, Owodunni Lawal, also appreciated the government for providing students with practical knowledge of artificial insemination.

(NAN)