By Kaleb Nghishidivali
Ondangwa, Aug. 2 – The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) has revealed plans to construct an Artificial Insemination Centre in Okapya, Oshikoto region, marking a major advancement in livestock breeding in Namibia.
The initiative addresses the pressing challenge of inbreeding in cattle herds within the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs), which has negatively impacted livestock production and reproduction. The Centre aims to provide farmers with access to superior breeding materials, thereby increasing the genetic diversity of herds and boosting the overall productivity of the livestock sector.
As part of the project, extension and mentorship programs will promote bull exchange between villages, constituencies, and regions while encouraging farmers to castrate inferior bulls at an early stage to enhance the local cattle population.
Under the management of MAWLR’s Directorate of Agriculture Research Development and the Directorate of Veterinary Services, the Artificial Insemination Centre will offer subsidized insemination services, leading to significant improvements in the region’s cattle herds’ quality.
Furthermore, the Centre will play a pivotal role in conservation efforts, with a special focus on the indigenous eco-type, particularly those from the Kunene Region. Superior-quality animals will be procured from local farmers to encourage breeding and conservation of this eco-type, housed at the Okapya Livestock Development Centre for further enhancement.
A representative from MAWLR emphasized the significance of artificial insemination in improving livestock breeding quality in the NCA, with budgetary provisions allocated through Operational and Development Budgets to maintain and construct necessary infrastructure.
The Okapya Centre will also house high-quality Sanga/Nguni bulls from various areas within the NCAs, ensuring a diverse gene pool. Collected semen will be freeze-stored for future use, encouraging farmers to utilize it to improve their herds’ quality.
This ambitious initiative represents a significant milestone in addressing the inbreeding issue in Northern Namibia while charting a course towards a more sustainable and productive future for the nation’s livestock industry.- Namibia Daily News
