The Kogi State Government has launched a statewide Mass Artificial Insemination (AI) Programme aimed at improving livestock productivity, enhancing food security and increasing the incomes of livestock farmers across the state.
The initiative, being implemented by the Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), commenced with a five-day sensitisation campaign in Lokoja on Monday and will run until July 24, targeting livestock farmers across the state’s value-chain clusters.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Olufemi Bolarin, described the programme as a major step towards modernising livestock production under the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
According to him, artificial insemination offers several benefits, including improved animal genetics, higher milk production, faster growth rates, reduced disease transmission and lower breeding costs.
Bolarin said the state government would provide farmers with technical support through trained professionals and capacity-building programmes to ensure successful adoption of the technology.
“Our goal is to produce healthier animals, improve productivity and increase farmers’ incomes. With adequate training and support, livestock farmers in Kogi can compete favourably across the country,” he said.
The State Project Coordinator of Kogi L-PRES, Mr. Otaru Abdulkabir Onoruoyiza, said the programme would provide farmers with access to superior breeding genetics and modern reproductive technologies capable of improving meat and milk production while strengthening disease resistance.
He noted that livestock production remains constrained by poor animal breeds, low productivity and limited access to modern breeding technologies despite its importance to food security and economic growth.
Onoruoyiza disclosed that the first phase of the programme would cover 1,500 cows and 500 goats using conventional and sexed semen, adding that registered L-PRES livestock farmers would be allowed to present between three and five animals each for the exercise.
To sustain the programme, he said L-PRES has partnered with Genedxx Nigerian Ltd to provide artificial insemination inputs and technical support, while three Livestock Improvement and Breeding Centres are being constructed across Kogi’s three senatorial districts.
He urged livestock farmers to embrace the initiative, describing artificial insemination as a globally accepted breeding technology that improves herd quality, increases productivity and boosts profitability.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Kogi State chapter, Dr. Tolu Omotugba, commended L-PRES for engaging qualified consultants to implement the programme and stressed the importance of ranching in maximising the benefits of artificial insemination.
A livestock farmer, Saidu Liman, welcomed the initiative, expressing optimism that it would improve the quality and market value of meat and milk while increasing farmers’ earnings. He also pledged to encourage other livestock farmers to participate in
