L-PRES targets 3,000 cattle for insemination, others in Borno

The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Borno state, has targeted no fewer than 3,000 cattle for insemination and other veterinary servic to improve livestock breeds and boost productivity across the state.

The Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dt. Makinta Ali, disclosed this in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Ali said the project was targeting 3,000 cattle for artificial insemination, adding that the exercise was being provided free of charge to livestock farmers.

He further revealed that the intervention was designed to improve the genetic quality of local cattle, increase milk production and strengthen the commercial viability of livestock farming.

Alu said the livestock production project was implementing four selected value chains in Borno, namely dairy cattle, beef, poultry, and hide and skin, based on the state’s comparative advantage.

According to him, the artificial insemination exercise commenced about two months ago, with the first phase completed in some locations, while preparations were underway for the next round.

The Coordinator said the project was also establishing a liquid nitrogen production plant with an estimated capacity of 800 kilograms monthly to preserve semen from selected bulls for subsequent insemination exercises.

He identified inadequate animal feed, insecurity and competition over grazing resources as major challenges affecting livestock production and contributing to farmer-herder conflicts.

In addressing the challenges, he said the project had established 20 hectares of pasture across two Ruga settlements in Mafa Rumirgo and Gubio Local Government Areas, “With plans to distribute foundation seeds to farmers after capacity-building training,” he said

Ali added that more than 1,000 livestock farmers, including women, had received training on alternative feed production and improved livestock management.

The coordinator said community-based committees had also been established, while traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders had received training on conflict prevention and early-warning mechanisms.

He said improved breeds, sustainable feed production and better livestock management were essential to restoring Borno’s livestock sector and strengthening its commercial potential.