The Indonesian Government will assist Nigeria achieve 60 and 40 per cent increase in milk and meat production in the next five years.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Usra Harahap, made the disclosure during a courtesy visit on Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

Mr Harahap said his visit to Kebbi was to further consolidate the bilateral relationship between Indonesia, Nigeria and Kebbi in particular.

He said, “This visit aims to boost the earlier collaboration between the Kebbi government and Indonesian government on artificial insemination and embryo transfer. This collaboration seeks to establish state-of-the-art feeding facilities, development fund, milk and meat processing unit, implement sustainable pasture system and significantly improve milk and meat production by 60 per cent and 40 per cent respectively within five years.”

The ambassador expressed the readiness of his country to assist Nigeria achieve self-sufficiency in animal production and agriculture in general.

He added that it would enhance livestock productivity and genetic improvement significantly for the agricultural sector in Kebbi State.

He noted that the proposed technical cooperation in artificial insemination and embryo transfer “reflect our self commitment to impacting agriculture productivity and capacity building. Our premier objective is to achieve self-sufficiency in meat and milk production and processing. We are also increasing technical capacity in assisting with reproductive technologies for the benefit of all African sub-regions.”

Assuring that both nations stand to gain from the partnership, the ambassador prayed that the collaboration would be taken to the highest level for the benefit of all.

Tracing the relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia to 1965, Mr Harahap said Indonesia was ready to establish a centre in Kebbi State under the Ministry of Animal Health and Fishery.

According to him, the artificial insemination centre will play a vital role in fostering technical operation for artificial insemination and embryo transfer in Kebbi.

He said as a public service agency, the centre would focus on the production, marketing, testing and monitoring of livestock, covering semen quality, while strengthening artificial insemination methods.

He prayed that the partnership would not only enhance the genetic quality of livestock in Kebbi but serve as a catalyst for sustainable agricultural growth and economic development of the collaborating nations.

Responding, Mr Idris appreciated the ambassador for the visit as well as the Indonesian government’s sponsorship of two Kebbi veterinary doctors to Indonesia for training in artificial insemination.

The governor, represented by his Deputy, Umar Abubakar-Tafida, said, “We are glad you sponsored their trip and training in Indonesia. We are also pleased that the team of experts that trained them followed up to see how those trained are able to cascade the training. We appreciate you very much for this very quick trip.”

Mr Idris said the cooperation marked the beginning of a fruitful partnership in view of the fact that Kebbi has the highest number of veterinary doctors in Nigeria.

The governor noted with satisfaction that Kebbi was blessed with the highest livestock population in Nigeria, “we therefore wish to extend our gratitude to the government of Indonesia for guiding our people.

He stated, “We also want to remind you of your pledge to sponsor more of our veterinary doctors for training in embryo transfer this year. It may interest you to know that Kebbi is the highest producer of rice and wheat in the country.” 

(NAN)