Nigeria’s Kwara State launches cattle artificial insemination programme

Nigeria – The Kwara State Government has launched 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 is being implemented in partnership with Genex URUS American International Animal Breeding Company.  

The programme began with 500 cattle in September, with the government targeting about 1,000 animals by the end of the year before expanding the exercise further. 

Commissioner for Livestock Development Oloruntoyosi Thomas disclosed the plans during the flag-off of the programme at TGB Farms in Ganiki, Ilorin South Local Government Area. 

“One of the ways to improve breeds is through artificial insemination. We are going to inseminate thousands of cattle across the state,” Thomas said. 

She said the animals had undergone synchronisation before insemination and that the programme would continue beyond its initial phase. 

“In terms of numbers, we are going to inseminate thousands. We are starting with 500 this month of September, but by the end of the year, we are hoping to reach maybe a thousand, and then we keep going. It’s a long process, but we are just starting,” she said. 

Thomas also announced plans to establish an artificial insemination centre in Malete, with similar facilities expected in other communities to improve farmers’ access to breeding services. 

She said the government was involving Animal Production students from tertiary institutions and youths from pastoralist communities to develop local technical capacity. 

“We need to ensure that we have our well-trained technicians—artificial insemination technicians—and that’s why we are involving our students from the University of Ilorin, the various tertiary institutions in the state,” she said. 

According to Thomas, developing a pool of trained technicians could help reduce the cost of the service, improve synchronisation and increase the chances of successful insemination. 

Focus on Dairy Production 

Ahmed Umar, Director of Livestock in the Ministry of Livestock Development, said cooperation among stakeholders would be important to the programme. 

“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,” Umar said. 

He expressed optimism that the exercise could achieve an 85% success rate. 

Saka Shittu, Team Lead of Genex URUS American International Animal Breeding Company, said selected semen would be used to improve cattle quality and support dairy production. 

“For now, the programme focuses on cattle; it will later be extended to other livestock. The essence of the programme is that animals are being inseminated with improved semen selected to boost dairy production,” Shittu said. 

He said the service is currently free, with each farmer entitled to have two cattle inseminated at no cost. 

The flag-off also provided practical training opportunities for Animal Production students from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, Malete, and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. 

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