The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project in Borno State says it has inseminated 1,100 cattle under its intervention to improve livestock breeds and boost productivity in the state.

Project Coordinator of L-PRES in Borno, Makinta Ali, stated this during an interview on Thursday in Maiduguri.

Mr Ali said the project was targeting 3,000 cattle for artificial insemination, adding that the exercise was being provided free of charge to livestock farmers.

He explained that the intervention was designed to improve the genetic quality of local cattle, increase milk production and strengthen the commercial viability of livestock farming.

He said the project was implementing four selected value chains in Borno, namely: dairy cattle, beef, poultry, hide and skin, based on the state’s comparative advantage.

According to him, the artificial insemination exercise commenced about two months ago, with the first phase completed in some locations, while preparations were underway for the next round.

Mr Ali said the project was also establishing a liquid nitrogen production plant with an estimated capacity of 800 kilogrammes monthly to preserve semen from selected bulls for subsequent insemination exercises.

He identified inadequate animal feed, insecurity and competition over grazing resources as major challenges affecting livestock production and contributing to farmer-herder conflicts.

To address the challenges, he said the project had established 20 hectares of pasture across two Ruga settlements in Mafa, Rumirgo and Gubio.

“With plans to distribute foundation seeds to farmers after capacity-building training,” he said 

He added that more than 1,000 livestock farmers, including women, had received training on alternative feed production and improved livestock management.

The coordinator said community-based committees had also been established, while traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders had received training on conflict prevention and early-warning mechanisms.

He said improved breeds, sustainable feed production and better livestock management were essential to restoring Borno’s livestock sector and strengthening its commercial potential. 

(NAN)