Cattle farmers to benefit from artificial insemination

GOVERNMENT has launched an artificial insemination programme earmarked at improving the national herd that was decimated by the January disease over the last five years.

Director for Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services (Manicaland), Mrs Phillipa Rwambiwa told The Manica Post that extension officers in Manicaland were trained on artificial insemination, and are only waiting for the deployment of the necessary tools to roll out the programme.

“They were trained at Chinhoyi University of Technology, and they are waiting for the arrival of the equipment to roll out the programme. The programme was being implemented on a small-scale by dairy farmers and commercial cattle breeders.

“It was a bit pricey and farmers ended up ignoring such services, but the upscaling of the programme will generate interest as the services will be offered at subsidised rates,” she said.

Acting Director Veterinary Technical Services (VTS), Dr Chenai Majuru said the programme is being implemented by her department in conjunction with the Department of Livestock Research.

She said Government came up with the programme after the country lost more than 500 000 cattle between 2017 and 2022 due to the January Disease.

“We are rolling out the artificial insemination programme nationwide because the January disease left a lot of farmers without cattle. The programme is intended to beef up the national herd through artificial insemination. We are doing this in the hope that it will help encourage farmers to adopt artificial insemination as a way of increasing their herd population,” she said.

Dr Majuru said artificial insemination has the potential to enhance breed quality by mitigating issues of inbreeding, thereby contributing to the overall improvement of livestock breeds.

It also allows farmers to introduce superior genetic material into their herds, and by using semen from high quality bulls, farmers can enhance desirable traits such as milk production, disease resistance, and growth rates.

“Inbreeding, which occurs when closely related animals mate, can lead to health issues and reduced productivity. This programme then helps mitigate such losses by widening the gene pool and minimise the risk of inbreeding.

“Moreover, artificial insemination has the capacity to elevate calving and conception rates, which is pivotal for optimising herd growth and productivity at a national level. Artificial insemination also provides precise control over the timing of insemination and farmers can choose the optimal moment based on the cow’s cycle, increasing the chances of successful conception,” she said.

Dr Majuru said by improving breeding outcomes, artificial insemination contributes to the overall growth and quality of the national cattle population.

“A healthier and genetically diverse herd positively impacts the country’s agricultural economy, food security, and livelihoods of farmers.

Unlike natural mating, where timing is less predictable, artificial insemination ensures that sperm meets the egg during the cow’s fertile window. This results in higher calving rates and more efficient reproduction,” she said.

She said during the national roll-out programme, artificial insemination for dairy cows, will be done at milk collection centres, while the same will be done at different community centres in the province for beef cattle.

About 6 000 cattle are being targeted for insemination during the breeding season.