Taraba State to set up artificial insemination centres, introduce pasture farming

 

By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo

In a bid to improve the quality and quantity of livestock production, Taraba State government has put in place measure to set artificial insemination centres and introduce pasture farming.

The SA to the State Governor Agbu Kefas on agriculture and food security Mr Zanau Maikasuwa, who disclosed this in an interview with our Correspondent said that the measures are also aimed at tackling the farmer/herder crisis that is crippling agricultural activities in the state. 

He noted that with improved quality of livestock, the people will have access to more meat and other bye products derived from livestock at a more affordable rate.

Maikasuwa, who is an experienced entrepreneur, maintained that the government is making conscious efforts to make agriculture more attractive so that more young people can explore the numerous opportunities and potentials that  the field offers.

"We are setting up artificial insemination centres where improved semen of high quality livestock will be available for people who want to improve the animal quality can take their livestock for the artificial insemination so that the animals give birth to an improved version of themselves.

"The idea is that, you have animals that are more resilient to diseases, grow faster, are strong and naturally produce more meat in terms of quality and quantity. Our focus for now is on cattle, goats and sheep.

"We are also carrying out sensitization and encouraging people to embrace pasture farming. This is a system that is not very common around here but is actually a money spinner. All the farmers need to do is cultivate specific grasses that are very nutritious for livestock and harvest these grasses and sell.

"Livestock farmers can also go into this pasture farming to make sure that all year round, they have enough feeds for their animals. This is aimed at curtailing incidents of farmers/herders crisis that has been a major threat to most communities across the state. Moreover, this will create a lot of jobs for people as well.

"Another area we are looking at is to revive extension services in the state. Extension services have gone into extinction and it is not healthy for us as a people. Most of the policies we want to put in place will do better if there are extension workers doing their work. It is something that will take some time for a comprehensive framework of operationalization to be put together but ultimately, it will be worth the efforts" he said.