AFDB DONATES INSEMINATION KITS

The
African Development Bank (AfDB)
supported Community-Based
Agriculture Development Project
(CBARDP) on Thursday donated
artificial insemination kits and
motorcycles to 15 trainees from
Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe,
Kaduna and Kwara states.
Speaking at the occasion in
Bauchi, Alhaji Ibrahim Arabi, the
Project Coordinator, explained
that the 15 artificial
inseminators, three from each
state, were trained to provide
livestock artificial insemination
services to their various
communities.
Arabi said that improving the
production capacity, using this
technology, had become
necessary following the low level
of milk and meat production of
local breed.
"If our local breeds are improved,
it will improve the milk, meat and
other dairy products supply, to
meet the protein needs of
Nigerians, ‘’ he said.
Arabi said that the project was
part of the agricultural
production outreach programme
for crops and livestock of the
AfDB supported CBARDP in the
five project implementation
states.
According to him, the measure is
also aimed at providing the
needed expertise to the
indigenous people, with a view
to sustaining the programme
after the expiration of its
mandate in December 2013.
‘’These trainees are expected to
continue providing artificial
insemination services to their
communities, with a view to
sustaining the project for
continuity.
‘’That is why today, we are
empowering them with 15
artificial insemination equipment
and 15 motorcycles, to enable
them go back to their
communities and provide the
services.
"Under the livestock development
outreach programme, we
procured a consultant and
signed a contract of N53 million
with NASRU Nigerian Ltd., to
inseminate 500 cattle, that is,
100 in each of the participating
states.
‘’They have also trained 45
pastoralists on powder
production, utilisation and
conservation. They also trained
animal community health service
providers for the benefit of our
livestock farmers," Arabi said.
The coordinator explained that
the CBARDP, which also included
capacity building and community
development, was worth 20
million dollars.
He said that the project was
funded by AfDB, with
contributions from the Federal
Government, the five
participating states, the 45
participating local governments
and 135 benefitting
communities.
Arabi called on the participating
states, local government areas
and the communities, to give the
necessary support to the
inseminators, to enable them
carry out their task for improved
livestock production in the
country.
He thanked the participating
states for the prompt payment of
their counterpart fund for the
past eight years.
In his speech, Alhaji Mohammed
Yusuf, the Director, Bauchi Green
House of the Federal Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural
Development, called on farmers
to embrace the technology,
which he said, had the potentials
of enhancing the production
capacity of their cattle.
Speaking on behalf of the
trainees, Dr. Yusuf Azare, thanked
the AfDB-CBARDP for the gesture,
promising that they would be
committed in discharge of their
responsibilities.