By Godwin Agia, Jalingo
The Taraba State Government, in collaboration with the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), has launched a statewide artificial insemination programme aimed at improving cattle genetics and increasing milk and meat production.
The programme was flagged off in Jalingo on Saturday, with government officials, development partners, livestock stakeholders and farmers in attendance.
The Managing Director of Livestock Genetics Africa Ltd, Emmanuel Nnoku, which is implementing the programme in Taraba, said the initiative would promote modern breeding techniques and improve livestock productivity.
Nnoku said the programme would enhance the genetic quality of cattle, increase milk and meat yields, improve herd productivity and boost the economic value of livestock farming.
He urged farmers and other stakeholders to cooperate with the technical team to ensure the success of the intervention.
The Taraba State L-PRES Project Coordinator, Hananiah G. Albert, said artificial insemination would enable farmers to access superior bull genetics without the cost of keeping breeding bulls.
Represented by the L-PRES Animal Health Services Officer, Dr Bunsheya Daudu, Albert said the programme would be implemented across livestock clusters and strategic locations in the state, with support from animal health and husbandry personnel.
He encouraged livestock farmers to make their animals available for the exercise and adhere to professional advice from the technical teams.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Taraba State Livestock Development Commission (TALDEC), Dr Dauda Abubakar M., described the initiative as an important step towards modernising livestock production in the state.
Abubakar urged livestock keepers to embrace the programme, saying improved breeding could enhance animal productivity and strengthen the livelihoods of farming communities.
A livestock farmer and former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Arma Yau, commended the state government and L-PRES for introducing the cross-breeding initiative.
Yau said the programme would help improve cattle breeds and increase productivity among livestock farmers across Taraba State.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
