The Kwara State Government has commenced a statewide cattle artificial insemination programme, targeting thousands of animals as part of efforts to improve breeds and increase milk and dairy production. The initiative, being implemented in collaboration with Genex URUS American International Animal Company, began with 500 cattle in September. The programme aims to enhance livestock production in the state by providing farmers with access to improved breeds.
The Commissioner for Livestock Development, Oloruntoyosi Thomas, disclosed this on Sunday during the flag-off of the exercise at TGB Farms in Ganiki, Ilorin South Local Government Area of the state. Thomas said the intervention was part of the government’s broader efforts to transform livestock production in the state. She explained that the animals had first undergone synchronisation as part of preparations for the insemination.
The programme plans to inseminate thousands of cattle across the state, with a target of 1,000 by the end of the year. Thomas also disclosed plans to establish an artificial insemination centre in the Malete area of the state, with similar facilities expected to be introduced in other identified communities to improve farmers’ access to the service. The state is also developing local capacity by involving students of Animal Production and youths from pastoralist communities in the exercise.
The Director of Livestock, Ministry of Livestock Development, Ahmed Umar, said the success of the programme would depend on the cooperation of stakeholders across the livestock sector. Umar expressed optimism that the exercise would record an 85 per cent success rate, while calling for the support of farmers and other stakeholders. He emphasized the need for collaboration to develop the sector.
The Team Lead of Genex URUS American International Animal Breeding Company, Saka Shittu, said the intervention was designed to improve the quality of cattle through the use of selected semen, particularly to raise dairy production. Shittu urged cattle owners, including pastoralists and smallholder dairy ranchers, to participate in the scheme, stressing that the service was currently being provided free of charge in Kwara.
Each farmer is entitled to have two cattle inseminated at no cost, and Shittu urged livestock owners to take advantage of the intervention. The flag-off also provided practical exposure for students of Animal Production, with participants drawn from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, Malete, and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. The delegation to the exercise included the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Muhammed Yahaya, and principal officers of the ministry.
The Director of TGB Farms, Ishola Peace, commended the government for selecting the farm to participate in the programme, adding that the intervention would provide the farm with an opportunity to benefit from the state’s livestock development initiative. The programme is expected to continue beyond the initial phase, with the government aiming to improve breeds and increase milk and dairy production in the state.
Key points
- The Kwara State Government has started a cattle artificial insemination programme to improve breeds and increase milk and dairy production.
- The programme aims to inseminate thousands of cattle across the state, with a target of 1,000 by the end of the year.
- The service is currently being provided free of charge in Kwara, with each farmer entitled to have two cattle inseminated at no cost.
