A credible source from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has disclosed to Blueprint details of the Federal Government’s plans to train 370 young animal scientists and veterinarians in Artificial Insemination (AI) Techniques and establishment of 200 Breeding and Improvement Centres nationwide worth N5,370,000,000.
The sources said the aim of the ministry is to increase the national capacity in AI and reproductive health, improved genetic composition of indigenous breeds, increase availability of improved animal breed to farmers while increasing Productivity and income.
The 30 centres will be located in Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Nassarawa, Benue, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Kaduna, Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Anambra, Imo, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Rivers, Enugu States.
The source further explained that 10 young Animal Scientists and Veterinarians will be trained per state in partnership with institutions like NAPRI, NACGRAB and Universities, while the trainees will be provided with breeding starter packs (A.I.Kits) and provision of Infrastructure and personnel with provision of indigenous breeds with high genetic potentials while identifying possible location for the breeding centres.
He said the ministry will also be collaborating with other international agencies such as EMBRAPA Brazil, South Africa and DFID, and with other private and public partners in providing support and capacity development for the overall success of the programme while involving of Research Institutes and Universities of Agriculture.
