By Musa Ubandawaki in Sokoto

As part of its renewed efforts to enhance livestock production and development, Sokoto state has partnered Indonesia for the supply of the supply of frozen semen and artificial insemination of cattles in the state.

The permanent secretary of the state Ministry of Animal health and fisheries development Abubakar Yabo disclosed this while going round with a team of Indonesian experts under the leadership of the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria Mr Usra Hendra Harahap who were in the state to conduct and provide technical support to state artificial insemination project.

He said , the Government of Indonesia has already donated 1000 frozen semen to the state government for the conduct of artificial insemination.

The donated semen worth One billion naira, according to the permanent secretary would be artificially inseminated to hundreds of cattles in the state.

He said his ministry has the potential and capacity to produce liquid nitrogen for the continued storage and preservation of semen for insemination.

” We have the state of the art laboratory and installed facilities to conduct all inseminations at any given time”.

“The artificial insemination is a process of inserting semen in the rector- virginal, through a sterile disposable catheter containing the thawed semen which is inserted into the Vigo and then guided into the cervix by means of gloved hand, the inseminating catheter is however passed through the spiral folds of the cow’s in the uterus.”

The artificial insemination would increased production efficiency and genetics and reduce the risk of genital and non genital diseases with more comprehensive records of Animals.

He further called on the Indonesian experts to also support the state in the training of personnel on new technics inline with global best practice.

He said the method would further help improve the state livestock master plan and provide more guidance for its implementation and development, says the permanent secretary.

Earlier in remarks after the facility tour, the leader of the delegation and Indonesian ambassador to Nigeria Mr Usra Hendra Harahap said all the facilities observed and inspected were found to be in perfect condition for the storage of semen and production of liquid Nitrogen.

He said the Indonesian government does not have memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian government, but he hoped that, the current collaboration with Sokoto state government would triggered the two countries to come up with one.

” In Indonesia, the process of artificial insemination was conceive and started in 1960 and since then livestock owners in East Java and other Islands are benefiting from the program” says Harahap

” Be able to educate your rural communities and farmers on the importance and benefit attached to artificial insemination in livestock development.” Harahap advice.

” Over 70 percent of our livestock in Indonesia are products of artificial insemination, especially cattles.”

” We hope that, you will subsidize the process to local cattle breeders, who are willing to seek for your services”

In her contribution, Dr Celestina who was among the delegation said, the program is being implemented under the Indonesian grant Agency for livestock development.

She said livestock production from smallholder farmers would improve their income and increase rural employment by diversifying on farm activities.