The Kwara State Government has commenced a statewide cattle artificial insemination programme targeting thousands of animals as part of efforts to improve livestock breeds and increase milk, dairy and meat production.
The initiative, being implemented in collaboration with Genex URUS American International Animal Breeding Company, began with 500 cattle in September, 2026, with the Government targeting about 1,000 animals by the end of the year.
Oloruntoyosi Thomas, Commissioner for Livestock Development, stated this during the flag-off of the exercise at TGB Farms in Ganiki, Ilorin South Local Government Area.
Thomas explained that the intervention was part of the Dtate Government’s broader efforts to transform livestock production and provide farmers with access to improved cattle breeds.
She noted that the animals had undergone synchronisation ahead of the insemination, adding that the programme would continue beyond the initial phase.
‘One of the ways to improve breeds is through artificial insemination. We are going to inseminate thousands of cattle across the State.
‘In terms of numbers, we are going to inseminate thousands. We are starting with 500 this month of September, but by the end of the year we are hoping to reach maybe 1,000, and then we keep going. It’s a long process but we are just starting’, she said.
Thomas also noted the plans to establish an artificial insemination centre in Malete, with similar facilities expected to be introduced in other identified communities to improve farmers’ access to the service.
She said the Government is also developing local capacity by involving students of Animal Production and youths from pastoralist communities in the programme.
‘We need to ensure that we have well-trained technicians, artificial insemination technicians and that’s why we are involving our students from the University of Ilorin and the various tertiary institutions in the state,’ she added.
According to her, developing a pool of trained personnel would help reduce the cost of the exercise, improve the synchronisation process and increase the chances of successful insemination.
Ahmed Umar, Director of Livestock in the Ministry, said the success of the programme would depend on the cooperation of stakeholders across the livestock sector.
Umar expressed optimism that the exercise could achieve an 85 percent success rate, while calling for the support of farmers and other stakeholders.
‘We want to develop this sector the way it should be developed by having improved breeds. This cannot be done alone. All stakeholders must come together to ensure success,’ he said.
Also, Saka Shittu, Team Lead of Genex URUS American International Animal Breeding Company, pointed out that the intervention was designed to improve cattle quality through the use of selected semen, particularly to increase dairy production.
‘For now, the programme focuses on cattle; it will later be extended to other livestock. The essence of the programme is that animals are being inseminated with improved semen selected to boost dairy production,’ Shittu said.
He urged cattle owners, including pastoralists and smallholder dairy farmers, to participate in the scheme, stressing that the service was currently being provided free of charge in Kwara.
Shittu said each farmer is entitled to have two cattle inseminated at no cost, urging livestock owners to take advantage of the intervention.
The flag-off also provided practical training for students of Animal Production from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, Malete, and Usman Dan-Fodio University, Sokoto.
The delegation included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Muhammed Yahaya; principal officers of the ministry; officials of SAPZ and L-PRES; as well as students and youths from the pastoralist community.
Ishola Peace, the Director of TGB Farms, commended the State Government for selecting the farm to participate in the programme.
She said the intervention would provide the farm with an opportunity to benefit from the state’s livestock development initiative.
Owodunni Lawal, Animal Production student of the University of Ilorin, equally appreciated the government for giving students the opportunity to gain practical knowledge of artificial insemination through the exercise.