The Kwara state government has initiated a free state-wide artificial insemination program for cattle, aiming to improve local breeding and enhance milk and dairy production. The program, which commenced in September 2026, targets 500 cattle for the month and plans to reach 1,000 by the end of the year. This initiative is a collaboration between the Kwara state government and the Genex URUS American International Animal Company.
The program was flagged off in Ilorin on Saturday by the state's Commissioner for Livestock Development, Hon Oloruntoyosi Thomas. The commissioner, accompanied by the permanent secretary and other principal officers, led a delegation to TGB Farms in Ganiki, Ilorin South local government area, where the artificial insemination was carried out. The exercise aims to cover thousands of cattle before the end of the year.
The commissioner stated that one of the ways to improve breeds is through artificial insemination, and the government plans to inseminate thousands of cattle across the state. The process began with the synchronization of animals, and now the insemination is being carried out. The government hopes to establish an insemination center in Malete and replicate it in other identified communities to improve farmers' access to the intervention.
Hon Oloruntoyosi Thomas emphasized the importance of trained technicians in the artificial insemination process. The government is involving students from the University of Ilorin, Kwara state University, and Usman Dan-Fodio University, Sokoto, to help with the exercise. The training will help eliminate synchronization of cattle, reduce costs, and improve the success rate of the insemination campaign.
The Director of Livestock in the Ministry, Alhaji Ahmed Umar, expressed hope that the exercise will achieve an 85% success rate. He appealed for the support of all key stakeholders to ensure the success of the program. The government's intervention aims to transform the livestock sector in Kwara state.
The artificial insemination program is part of the government's efforts to improve the agricultural sector in Kwara state. The program will not only enhance milk and dairy production but also improve the livelihoods of cattle herders and farmers. The government plans to continue the program in the coming years, with the goal of making Kwara state a leading producer of high-quality cattle.
The partnership between the Kwara state government and the Genex URUS American International Animal Company is expected to bring expertise and technology to the program. The government's commitment to improving the livestock sector is evident in its investment in the artificial insemination program. With the support of stakeholders, the program is expected to have a positive impact on the agricultural sector in Kwara state.
Key points
- The Kwara state government aims to inseminate 1,000 cattle by the end of 2026.
- The program is a collaboration between the Kwara state government and the Genex URUS American International Animal Company.
- The government plans to establish an insemination center in Malete and replicate it in other identified communities.
