adminFortunate Gora Chinhoyi Bureau
Chinhoyi University of Technology has begun an artificial insemination programme for communities in Mashonaland West province in order to improve livestock production in terms of genetics and population.
Artificial insemination is the process of collecting sperm cells from a male animal and manually depositing them into the reproductive tract of a female animal.
It is commonly used instead of natural mating in many species of animals because of the many species it can produce.
The process also reduces the risk of diseases.
About 1 000 cattle have so far undergone artificial insemination in Hurungwe, Zvimba, Makonde and Sanyati.
CUT chairperson for animal production Dr Fungai Chatiza said the breed in communal areas has progressively deteriorated because of inbreeding.
“We discovered that the breed in communal farmers has deteriorated because of inbreeding.
“Most villagers cannot own bulls to service their communities and improve the breeds,” she said.
“So semen straws are drawn from the university’s high quality bull breeds to boost livestock production in the communities.”
The institution is also carrying out farmer training sessions to increase awareness.
“We are educating farmers on how to carry the AI process as it is cheaper than buying bulls or hiring third parties to do it for them. We also teach them how to separate animals to avoid mating until AI is done,” she said.
Dr Chatiza said natural mating is a harrowing process that is likely to cause injuries or accidents to both animals and producers.
Zvimba chief executive Mr Peter Hlohla said the programme will help ensure that communal farmers rear livestock for commercial purposes.
“The initiative has introduced livestock production methodologies that support general agriculture production, enhance environmental farming practices and deliberately grow an improved community herd through communitywide insemination,” he said.
Online Reporter