The Kwara State Government has commenced a cattle breed improvement programme through artificial insemination as part of efforts to transform the livestock sector and boost dairy production.
The Commissioner for Livestock Development, Hon. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, stated this during the official flag-off of the exercise in the state.
Thomas said the government plans to inseminate thousands of cattle across Kwara, adding that the process began this month with the synchronisation of animals ahead of the artificial insemination.
The Kwara State Government has commenced the breed improvement programme, which is part of the state livestock transformation agenda. One of the ways we are improving our breeds in Kwara State is through artificial insemination.
“We are going to be inseminating thousands of cattle across the state. We started by first synchronising the animals and now we are doing the insemination.”
She added that the livestock transformation agenda also covers access to water, feed and quality animal health services.
The Team Lead of Genex URUS American International Animal Breeding Company, Dr. Saka Shittu, said the programme offers cattle owners an opportunity to improve their animals through selected semen from high-quality foreign breeds.
He said Jersey, Friesian and Girolando breeds were selected for the intervention because of their potential to improve dairy production.
“The essence is that animals are being inseminated with improved semen from foreign cows. The semen has been selected so that it can improve dairy production, particularly for our farmers.”
Shittu said improved genetics could help farmers achieve milk yields of 10, 15 or even 20 litres per cow per day, depending on the animals and management practices.
He urged cattle owners to embrace the programme and take advantage of the breeding improvement initiative.
The exercise also provided practical training for students of Animal Production from the University of Ilorin.
One of the students, Owodunni Lawal, said the exercise had helped bridge the gap between classroom theory and practical livestock production.
“Within the four walls of the classroom, we have been taught all this theoretically, but we are so happy, glad and excited to be here for the practical aspect.
“We have learnt a lot here, myself and my colleagues, and we are going to put this into practice. We are not learning alone; after our graduation, we can have something to rely on.”
The initiative is expected to contribute to improved cattle genetics, higher milk production and the development of Kwara State’s livestock and dairy value chains.
