The Rwanda Animal Resources and Development Agency (Rarda) is now producing exotic bull bovine semen for artificial insemination of local cows. The move is part of the government policy to improve animal production, so as to help improve household incomes. Local ankole cows, when inseminated produce improved breeds (hybrids), which have high milk and quality beef production. The crossbreeds are also believed to be more tolerant of inadequate nutrition, disease and insects, which is an issue for farmers. In an interview, Dr. Theogéne Rutagwenda Rarda director general said, This comes at a time when the country has for long been importing semen from Canada and United Kingdom. Therefore, Rarda, through the Ministry of Agriculture, imported two Fresian and three Jersey bulls from South Africa last year especially for semen production. The exotic bulls in Masaka, were trained to adapt to food and environment, and now are producing semen. The semen has been tested and proved feasible for insemination, Rutagwenda said. He said that each bull has a semen production of about 300 doses per week. And Rarda already has about 60,000 doses stored ready for insemination. Rutagwenda was also optimistic that tests having been positive, the country may no longer have to import cow semen but can rather export to neighbouring countries. It will cost a farmer Frw1,500 to have his single local ankole cow artificial inseminated. It has been argued that steadily increasing the number of hybrid cows in the country is helping to address the individual milk requirement of at least 200 litres per annum as milk importation also lowers.Ends
