After Governor Sang’s administration subsidized the Artificial Insemination (AI) service fee to improve the genetic potential and the breeds of dairy animals in Nandi County, many farmers across the county can now afford the recommended AI service and the demand for the semen has greatly increased. In order to meet this huge demand, the County department of Agriculture & Co-operative Development through the directorate of veterinary services is determined to ensure that Artificial Insemination (AI) service providers across the county are well equipped, trained and facilitate to ensure all farmers taste and enjoy this transformation.
AI Service providers keenly following during the workshop
While addressing the workshop on Thursday, Chief Officer Agriculture Wilson Lelei noted that his department is keen in transforming the dairy sector and therefore the refresher course for the inseminators was not only timely but also very necessary. Mr. Lelei urged the participants to leverage on the opportunity presented to them and sharpen their skills in order to improve on service deliver.
Chief Officer Agriculture Wilson Lelei addressing the session
According to the directorate of livestock services, over 12,000 cows have been served with the government subsidized AI semen across the county since July 2018. This has been made possible by the recruitment of 45 new service providers who double as Animal Health Assistants and acquisition of 45 new motorcycle for each one of them.
Motorcycles for the AI Service providers.
Dr. Samson Bitok, the director Livestock services, said that the training is aimed at ensuring 99% conception rates. “We want to ensure that we have quality AI service that will result in high conception rate and that will eventually give us good population of the next generation of good quality, high performance heifer/dairy herd in Nandi County.” said Dr. Bitok.
Dr. Samson Bitok, Director Livestock.
This, he adds, will ensure that milk supply meet the demand not only for Nandi Cooperative Creameries (NCC) set to be established but also for the external demands.
The subsidized Artificial Insemination semen are readily available for Ksh 2200 sexed semen and Ksh 600 local conventional semen.
AI Service providers pose for a photo with the CECM Agriculture Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat.
Among the topics covered include semen production, semen handling and quality control, insemination technique and calf rearing among others. The main objective of the workshop was to build capacity of the AI service providers in order to enhance conception rates which will result to improved breeds and ultimately increased production of milk.
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