Sokoto State to commence Artificial Insemination of cattle – Commissioner
Ismail Umar, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Commissioner Ministry of Animals Health and Fisheries Development, Professor Abdulkadir Junaid, says all arrangements have been concluded to commence Artificial Insemination in the next coming 2 weeks across the state.
Professor Junaid, stated this at a one day capacity building for the staff of the Ministry on Disease Surveillance and Animal Productive Technologies in Sokoto State.
According to him, the training was organised to build the participants capacity, efficiency and conduct on how to improve on disesases reporting and Surveillance which was carefully selected from 23 local governments.
” When I assume office as commissioner, sokoto state was poor and inefficient in disesases reporting system, but now I established a unit in the Ministry to be incharge of the process and change the situation and now the state is among the top in disesases reporting and Surveillance.
” We want maintain that status and it can only be retain through capacity building like this training,” Professor Junaid said.
He further explain that the training was to update the participants with modern techniques on disesases reporting and Surveillance.
Professor Junaid also said that the training was to give more insight to staff on Artificial Insemination and Embryo transfer which was captured as new reproductive technologies.
” If recall the state is currently having an ongoing cattle breeding program which was already on the second phase.
” We have already rehabilitate our diary unit and commence liquid nitrogen production and next is to commence Artificial Insemination.
” We also procured the siemen and Embryo and what delay us from commencing the program is to train our personnel on how to administer the process of Artificial Insemination to people especially the pastoralists that are scatter all over the state,” he added.
He added that the training would also help to resolve agitation of livestock farmers on policies of government that neglected them.
“ this administration of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal realises the dangers of livestock farmers neglect by previous gov’t and ensure that pastoralists are included in whatever program introduce for farmers,” Junaid added.
He further explained that another measure implore by present government was through Artificial Insemination and Embryo transfer which would improve genetic potential of pastoralists animals.
” an animal of pastoralists that produced 1 to 3 litres of milk per day give birth to an animal that produce 1 to 30 litres of milk per day which was as a result of the artificial Insemination, it would make livestock farmers to feel the impact of government policies.
” and if a pastoralists has an animal that weigh up to 500 to 1000kg as against the 150 to 200kg it would also make the animal more economic viable,” he explained.
Professor Junaid said the state government remain committed to utilizing many opportunities as rehabilitation of the 19 grazing reserves across the state is underway.
The Commissioner commended Governor Tambuwal for his support and encouragement giving to the ministry to deliver it’s expectations.
