The Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, NIAS, has advised cattle rearers to adopt artificial insemination techniques as a modern, efficient solution to reduce clashes between farmers and herders across the country.
Prof. Akin Adesehinwa, NIAS First Vice President, spoke at the start of a 14-day AI program for selected animal scientists at the University of Ibadan, calling for a change away from traditional cow, pig, and sheep production practices and towards AI.
Adesehinwa emphasised that AI, as a reproductive tool, enables semen from a single bull to be processed and utilised to inseminate several cows, eliminating the need for direct physical touch between male and female animals.
This, he added, may greatly reduce the number of herders moving animals across wide territories, hence reducing farmer-herder conflict.
“It is a reproductive tool like a biological machine. If you have a proven bull, you can collect semen from just one ejaculate, process it, and inseminate several cows,” Adesehinwa said.
The NIAS boss also explained that AI ensures improved genetics, better productivity, and economic efficiency, benefiting both small-scale and commercial farmers.
Furthermore, the procedure allows for selective breeding, which involves keeping only bulls with acceptable qualities for reproduction, potentially improving overall cattle quality.
Adesehinwa asked skilled animal scientists to share their understanding of AI and its benefits with rural farmers and communities.
Suraj Ajiboye, CEO of SMAT Farms and another resource person at the event, underlined that AI has the potential to improve Nigeria’s livestock business by boosting indigenous breeds, increasing milk production, and strengthening the value chain.
“I’ve always said the livestock industry can create jobs and wealth for our teeming population. Imagine a community of 200,000 people where each person owns a crossbreed animal producing 10-15 litres of milk daily. This would greatly benefit nutrition and economic growth,” Ajiboye said.
Mr. Olufemi Atunbi, Deputy Director of the NIAS Inspectorate and Compliance Department, stated that the training aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of modernising and enhancing livestock production in Nigeria, despite cultural and orientation barriers to AI adoption.
