Online Reporter
Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
In a significant development for the livestock sector, the Government has reported a total of 178 artificial inseminations this week across Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West and Midlands provinces, consisting of 20 beef cattle and 158 dairy cattle.
This brings the cumulative total for the year to 53 280, which includes 12 282 dairy cattle, 4 327 beef cattle, 34 659 pigs, and 12 goats.
However, the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) suggests that actual insemination figures may be much higher due to underreporting.
The anticipated technical skills exchange visit from the Government of Indonesia has been postponed indefinitely as travel arrangements for the experts are still being finalised.
Under this grant, the experts are expected to conduct training sessions nationwide on artificial insemination (AI) and provide free dairy and beef semen.
For 2024, the cumulative totals stand at 3 401 dairy cattle, 2 039 beef cattle, 7 814 pigs, and 753 goats, amounting to 14 007.
The department noted that the best time to carry out artificial insemination is from November to March, as heifers and cows are typically in good body condition for conception during this period. Trained personnel must carry out this process.
In 2020, the Government approved the Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan (2021-2026), which aims to implement robust interventions to enhance livestock production.
The livestock sector is crucial to the national economy, contributing significantly to inclusive growth and supporting the country’s transformation agenda towards achieving Vision 2030.
