April 11, 2022

 

Rwanda to boost cattle production with artificial insemination center

 

 

Rwanda is setting up a national artificial insemination (AI) center which is expected to help increase the country's cattle production in terms of milk and beef yields.

 

The center is being constructed at Rwanda Agricultural and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB)'s Songa station in Huye District, Southern Province. It will be a recognised center functioning at the international level, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources.

 

The ministry indicated it is expected that its first phase will be completed by the end of 2022. It added that it will produce bovine semen from high genetic merit bulls of different breeds which will be used to support Rwanda's breed improvement programme.

 

Solange Uwituze, deputy director general of animal resources research and technology transfer at RAB, told the New Times that the AI centre will also help to produce and conserve embryos and provide embryo transfer services for cattle production.

 

She said the center will have two main components: the management of high genetic merit bulls and a laboratory for production, processing, packaging and storage of semen.

 

"The rationale for establishment of the AI center is to produce quality and genetically superior germplasm and to ensure its fast dissemination, faster bovine genetic improvement and conservation in Rwanda," Uwituze added.

 

Concerning its impact on the Rwandan livestock sector, she said the center will bring a biodiversity of genes and different types of cattle breeds as well as allowing an availability of semen for dairy cattle and beef.

 

According to RAB, it has the capacity to accommodate 60 bulls, while 30 bulls can give around 16,000 semen straws per week, enough to artificially inseminate 16,000 cows. It will support partnership and exchange with other international AI centers in terms of research.

 

Additionally, the center will help in the creation of private breeder associations for each cattle breed and exchange of superior genetics.

 

Rwanda's cattle population is estimated at 1.3 million, with 41% consisting of local breeds, 16% being pure exotic breeds and 43% being crossbreeds as of 2019, according to data from RAB.

 

- New Times