The Oyo State government has begun artificial insemination training for over 100 livestock farmers in the state to boost dairy production and reduce the cost of meat, a major source of protein.
Participants at the training include local farmers, university students, government officials, and veterinary technicians.
The State government, through its Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), is conducting the training for farmers from all geopolitical zones of the state to enhance knowledge on artificial insemination and improve livestock production efficiency.
The training workshop is part of OYSADA’s broader agribusiness policy, which seeks to address rising beef prices that have impacted consumers and farmers alike. The program is a national project supported by the World Bank, which onboarded Oyo state through the Oyo State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRESS).
Dr. Debo Akande, Executive Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Agribusiness International Corporation and Development, and Director General of OYSADA, noted that artificial insemination (AI) is a global best practice in livestock production, adopted by developed countries to improve yield and quality.
The training focuses on technologies and techniques of artificial insemination, allowing for controlled breeding of livestock with superior genetics, accelerating growth of high-quality cattle herds, increasing productivity, and ensuring a consistent beef and cow milk supply.
Dr. Akande emphasized that by adopting advanced reproductive technologies like AI, Oyo state is improving the quality and quantity of beef and cow milk production, making it more affordable for residents.
The training program covers essential topics, including reproductive health, semen collection and storage, and insemination techniques, with hands-on practice to ensure proficiency.
Dr. Akande expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde for his visionary leadership and approval for the training workshop, marking the beginning of a new livestock project in the state that would ensure access to better quality beef and cow milk at affordable prices.
“We have been rearing goats and cattle for a very long time, but we have not been doing it the right way – the modern way. If we want to start getting the best results from our livestock, we need to start adopting modern technologies and techniques. One of these technologies is artificial insemination (AI). If we used to get two liters of milk from one animal before, by understanding how to do artificial insemination of cross-breeding, we can start looking at the possibility of getting nine liters per cow. This is about productivity for our livestock, where we will get more. The meat we will get from these animals will be better meat, and our farmers engaging in livestock will get more money.”
Dr. Akande added that the training would be held across all geopolitical zones of Oyo state, ensuring that participants from various regions can benefit from the program.
The State Coordinator of the Livestock Product Support Project, Mr. Kola Kazeem, noted that the cost of meat in the market would soon reduce due to the ongoing enhanced animal reproduction in the state.
The lead resource person at the event, Professor Olofisayo Leigh from the Department of Veterinary, University of Ibadan (UI), lauded the state government’s vision to key into global best practices in livestock production for increased meat and cow milk production.
Participants at the training workshop expressed diverse expectations and optimism about the program’s potential benefits to them as individuals and the state as a whole.
Honorable Jimoh Lukmon Isola, representing Oorelope state constituency, commended Governor Makinde for his pragmatic approach to governance and assured that the state would immensely benefit from the training in terms of output.
