By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
Gombe State is charting a new course in agricultural development, as the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project has officially launched a large-scale training initiative to modernize animal breeding through artificial insemination.
The program, which brought together 173 participants from 55 registered dairy cooperative societies and integrated farms across the state, marks a significant shift from traditional husbandry practices toward a mechanized, high-yield future.
Addressing the participants during the workshop, the State Coordinator of the L-PRES Project, Professor Usman Bello Abubakar, emphasized that the state government is committed to rectifying historical imbalances in the agricultural sector.
“For years, there has been support and loans for farming and cropping sectors, but animal rearing was left behind. Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya moved to challenge this trend, that no society can develop while its animal husbandry sector is left behind. We must move from a traditional to a modern system of animal breeding”, Professor Abubakar declared.
Professor Abubakar highlighted the stark contrast between traditional and modern methods, noting that “Our cows hardly produce more than two litres of milk daily, but in a modern breeding system, we can get 50-60 litres of milk daily from a cow. In traditional breeding, you rear a cow for more than seven years without giving birth, but in the modern system, every year, your cow can give birth to a calf.”
To ensure the success of this initiative, the project coordinator said they plan to aggressively scale up efforts.
“We shall rigorously dwell into artificial insemination across the nook and cranny of Gombe State,” the coordinator added, announcing plans to import high-quality bull semen from Brazil to facilitate better breeding outcomes.
He also commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his strategic investments in the sector, specifically the establishment of an agro-livestock processing zone featuring an ultramodern abattoir and a dedicated cattle fattening hub amongst others.
The technical sessions were led by Professor Demo Kalla, Director of the Dairy Research Development Centre at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
Providing an expert perspective on the necessity of this shift, Professor Kalla linked food security directly to national stability.
“When food is enough in a country, there will be peace and prosperity,” he remarked.
Highlighting the practical advantages of the technology, Professor Kalla explained that “With increasing population, limited land, and heightened farmer-herder clashes, artificial insemination is becoming more imperative. With a small number of animals and space, we can get better output and maximum results.”
Throughout the workshop, participants were trained on the nuances of animal selection, successful management practices, and the critical importance of stepping down their newfound knowledge to their respective communities.
Some beneficiaries of the training Alhaji Umaru Ahmadu, the Sarkin Fulanin Kwami, and Hajiya Habiba Hassan from Yamaltu-Deba Local Government who spoke on behalf of the participants, praised the L-PRES project and the state government for providing the tools to modernize their operations.
They committed to sharing the training with fellow farmers and herders, underscoring the collaborative spirit needed to transform the state’s livestock industry.
In his closing remarks, Professor Abubakar urged the participants to embrace the role of ambassadors for the project, noting that this modernization effort is not just about animal production, but also about securing a better future for their families.
He equally called on the attendees to prioritize the education of their children for peaceful coexistence, which he identified as the foundation for the long-term progress of Gombe State.
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