Ekiti State to train 30 specialists in artificial insemination of livestock animals

The "Mass Artificial Insemination, Training, and Induction of Insemination Specialists in Ekiti State" program, organized by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), is taking place in Ado Ekiti. Within the framework of the initiative, 30 professionals, primarily livestock and veterinary department staff who will be engaged as artificial insemination technicians, are undergoing training.

As stated by Ebenezer Boluwade, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security in Ekiti, the program aims to target 850 cows and 150 goats for breed improvement and livestock reproduction. According to him, local livestock productivity previously suffered from poor genetic quality and limited access to improved breeding services, which led to reduced milk yields, slower growth, and a drop in market value. Artificial insemination allows for improved hybrid vigor, the elimination of sexually transmitted infections, and the preservation of genetic materials.

Olayiwola Adekunle, lead consultant for Genex Urus, noted that the project aims to train local personnel so as to avoid bringing in foreign specialists. The company will support the 30 trained technicians for three years. It is planned to inseminate between 1,000 livestock animals and goats across various local government areas of the state. In turn, Ekiti L-PRES livestock officer Olumuyiwa Adelodun emphasized that the event is aimed at improving the quality of the local herd to increase meat and milk production volumes.