The Rwanda Animal Resource Development Authority (RARDA) has beefed up its animal semen storage capacity by acquiring a new liquid Nitrogen Gas plant.

According to Dr Theogene Rutagwenda, the Director General of RARDA, the animal semen used for artificial insemination can now be stored for longer periods due to the effective protection provided by adequate nitrogen.

The machine that cost 490,000 Euro, was imported from Holland and it produces over 35 litres of nitrogen per hour unlike the previous machine that produced only 5 litres.

"The new plant has now made artificial insemination more effective. We can now produce the necessary nitrogen gas that is required in the country to distribute to our local people in all provinces” Rutagwenda said.

He revealed that regional countries have started buying this gas from Rwanda, making it the biggest regional liquid nitrogen gas distributor.

"We supplied 200 litres to Burundi and 70 litres to DR Congo and we are ready supply any other country that will need it.”

He further disclosed that they had setup depots in several parts of the country to allow local farmers access the gas instead of travelling to Kigali.

"We have depots in Nyagatare, Kayonza, Gicumbi, Muhanga, Huye, Musanze, Gisenyi, Nyamasheke and Rusizi,” he said.

Ends