Local govt ministry AI program excites Nakaseke, Katakwi farmers

NAKASEKE - A score of farmers in Nakaseke and Katakwi districts are excited with the performance of their animals after the ministry of local government, working in collaboration with other stakeholders introduced Artificial Insemination (AI).

The program is aimed at improving local breeds and consequently boosting milk and beef production.  

According to the ministry, by August 07, 2024, at least 204 cows had been inseminated in Nakaseke district and these included 102 Friesians, 23 Jersey and 42 Boran breeds.

New cattle breeds as a result of artificial insemination. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

In Kumi, 15 sub-counties are actively involved in artificial insemination, where 105 heifers have been inseminated in the past two years and 26 calves have been born within the same period.

The program in Kumi is being handled by 10 technicians using 13 field kits.

Nakaseke and Kumi are part of the ten districts where the Ministry of Local Government, working in collaboration with the ministries of Agriculture and Finance, is implementing the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) project, which funds artificial insemination, among other community-based projects.

One of the calves delivered as a result of artificial insemination. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

The other districts include Aleptong, Kibuku, Katakwi, Gomba, Kyenjojo, Kabalore, Bunyangabo and Ntoroko.

Eng. Paul Kasule Mukasa, the in-charge of the LEGS project says it is funded by the Islamic Development Bank in joint collaboration with the Government of Uganda.

Ministry of local government including Anthony Agripa (R) inspect of the maize plantations in Nakaseke district.

At least a total of sh184.7b (50.3mUS dollars) was set aside for the four-year program.

Among other things, it focuses on improving the livelihoods and welfare of communities in terms of income generation and targets improving productivity and production at the local level, especially for the farmers, producers and entrepreneurs.

It also targets transforming the mindset of dairy farmers, who have traditionally favoured local breeds and conventional reproductive methods that include using bulls to mount the animals.

“Our focus was largely around providing seedlings to farmers, especially in coffee, tea, and vanilla to increase farm produce and national exports. But we also went into artificial insemination to help the local breeds, which have been giving little milk,” Eng. Kasule explained, adding that the program includes fighting diseases in cattle to get better yields.  

The ministry also trained 90 artificial insemination technicians and equipped them with 90 toolkits, and free equipment and guaranteed them with free supply of semen and other ingredients like nitrogen. 

Ministry Nakaseke district officials interacting. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

“The program is so exciting, the cows we started with are doing well and many are healthy. We think if we continue with the program we will be able to generally improve the livestock breed, improve disease resistance and improve the quality of beef,” he explained, adding that the program is projected to benefit over 52,000 cattle keepers.

The project, which was extended by one extra year and closing in August 2025, will have benefited cattle keepers to have improved breeds.

“We appeal to farmers to take advantage of this program because it will guarantee them of better quality animals, better yields in terms of milk production and milk products as well as beef,” he said, urging them to move from the traditional breeds and improve their stocks.

Dr. Lawrence Kisule, the Nakaseke district veterinary officer said the artificial insemination project had mainly benefited farmers in the Central and Southern regions but cattle keepers in the northern region (cattle corridor) were yet to come on board.

“We are making efforts to gradually persuade cattle keepers that prefer to continue with the conventional breeding or natural breeding so that they too benefit from the advantages of artificial insemination,” he explained.

He said many cattle owners do not want to pay the small fee of sh50,000 charged per animal serviced because they have local bulls that do it free of charge.

Farmers accepted the improved methods are now having their animals deliver better calves, some having twins. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

He said the farmers that accepted the improved methods are now having their animals deliver better calves, some having twins.