Kogi L-PRES Begins Awareness Campaign for Mass Artificial Insemination Programme

Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project, Kogi L-PRES, has launched a five-day awareness campaign ahead of the implementation of its Mass Artificial Insemination programme. The campaign, which runs from July 20 to 24 in Lokoja, is aimed at educating livestock farmers on the programme and improving livestock production across value chain clusters in the state.

Source: pmnewsnigeria

Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Olufemi Bolarin, said the programme reflects Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo's commitment to modernising livestock production and improving food security. He said artificial insemination will give farmers access to better livestock breeds, reduce disease transmission, lower production costs and improve meat and milk production.

State Project Coordinator of Kogi L-PRES, Otaru Abdulkabir Onoruoyiza, said the first phase of the programme will cover one thousand five hundred cows and five hundred goats. He added that eligible livestock farmers registered under the project can present three to five animals each for the exercise, while Genedxx Nigerian Limited will provide technical support and AI services.

Onoruoyiza also said Kogi L-PRES is constructing three Livestock Improvement and Breeding Centres across the state's senatorial districts to sustain the programme. The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association and livestock farmers welcomed the initiative, expressing confidence that it would improve livestock quality, increase productivity and raise farmers' incomes.