Jigawa launches US$5.14M artificial insemination programme to boost dairy production

NIGERIA – The Jigawa State Government has unveiled a US$5.14 million (₦7 billion) artificial insemination programme aimed at transforming the state’s livestock and dairy industry through genetic improvement of indigenous cattle breeds and increased milk production.

The Commissioner for Livestock Development, Prof. Abdulrahman Salim Lawal, announced the initiative during a one-day sensitisation workshop on dairy production for Fulani leaders drawn from the 27 local government areas of the state.

Lawal said the programme, initiated by Governor Umar Namadi, is designed to educate livestock owners on the benefits of artificial insemination while improving cattle quality and increasing milk yields across the state.

According to him, the first phase will involve the artificial insemination of 6,500 cattle using improved breeds imported from the United Kingdom and India before expanding to 25,000 cattle.

He said the government targets the production of more than 60,000 improved cattle by the end of the programme.

The commissioner disclosed that the state had committed more than $5.14 million (₦7 billion) to the initiative, comprising US$2.42 million (₦3.3 billion) for the dairy development programme and US$3.30 million (₦4.5 billion) for the restoration of grazing reserves.

Lawal added that the government plans to reclaim and develop the state’s 362 gazetted grazing reserves by planting high-yield pasture grasses and legumes to support sustainable livestock production.

He said the initiative was inspired by successful dairy development models in countries such as India, where improved cattle breeds produce significantly higher milk yields than local breeds.

“We are shifting from quantity to quality. Rather than keeping large herds with low productivity, we want fewer but genetically superior cattle capable of producing far more milk,” he said.

The commissioner further revealed that 13 Jigawa scientists would depart for India in August for specialised training in artificial insemination and dairy management.

“Upon their return, they, alongside experts from India’s National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), will train 350 youths recently recruited by the state government as artificial insemination technicians”.

He expressed optimism that the programme would, within a few years, produce thousands of skilled technicians while significantly improving livestock productivity and reducing conflicts associated with open grazing.

Experts at the workshop delivered papers on modern livestock management, genetic improvement and dairy value-chain development, stressing that the programme would increase the production of milk, meat and other livestock products while improving the livelihoods of pastoral communities.

Managing Director of Ferrado Agro and Bioforms, Mr Chendu, whose company is partnering with the state government on the project, said the one-year programme would include baseline surveys, digital documentation, animal identification and farmer tracking to ensure effective implementation.

He explained that the project aims to raise the average daily milk yield per cow in Jigawa from about one litre to between eight and 15 litres, thereby increasing farmers’ incomes, creating jobs for youths and women, strengthening food security and reducing dependence on imported dairy products.

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