The Sunday News
THE Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development is set to establish a national cattle semen bank as it seeks to improve productivity and profitability of the livestock sector through embarking on an extensive Artificial Insemination (AI) programme.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister responsible for livestock production, Paddy Zhanda said the semen bank or cryobank which will be administered by the Division of Livestock Production and Development (DLPD) would be used to store semen of superior genetic breeds.
“As a DLPD, the intention is to have a semen bank where we will also have straws. Right now we don’t have straws. If we want to have a straw we go and buy. How can we be a department like that?” Cde Zhanda quizzed.
He said the intention of setting up a semen bank was to enable DLPD to embark on widespread AI programmes.
“So the intention is to establish a semen bank, a facility where we tap the semen, then we keep it. Thereafter we can obviously do AI in selected areas to begin with. The objective is to do between 25 and 30 animals if this project is up and running for every dip tank,” said Deputy Minister Zhanda.
A straw is a semen package system with several advantages over the ampule. Through this system more units can be stored in bulk at AI centres and in farm semen tanks.
The straw system allows more complete delivery of semen during insemination. Probably most importantly, the straw permits more uniform control of the freezing and thawing process which has led to improved sperm cell recovery.
Renowned livestock specialist Dr Ronny Sibanda of Dial-Honour Consultancy said the idea of coming up with a semen bank was a good initiative towards improving livestock production and genetic management.
“Basically it’s good to keep your own cattle seed or seed stock especially in terms of genetic resources management. Matopos Research Station is already doing so on a certain extent. However, it requires certain standards in terms of upkeep as there are precautions that are needed to ensure that the semen retains its fertility such as temperature among other issues,” Dr Sibanda.
DLPD Matabeleland South’s provincial chief livestock specialists, Mrs Simangaliphi Ngwabi said the establishment of a semen bank would be a welcome development but hinted that most farmers are not yet ready to grasp the concept of AI.
“I think it’s a noble idea but I think at the moment it’s rather far fetched since the concept of AI is more advanced and technical for most of the farmers. For instance there is a need to determine if the cows are in good condition for the AI to be done.
“They should also be able to determine when the cow will be on hit so as to inject with semen and this needs expertise. In essence the programme needs to be synchronised before it is introduced to farmers and people should be trained. It calls for a situation whereby there is high and proper management,” Mrs Ngwabi said.
AI is the process of collecting sperm cells from a male animal and manually depositing them into the reproductive tract of a female. AI is commonly used instead of natural mating in many species of animals because of the many benefits it can reap. These benefits include increased safety of the animals and producer, increased production efficiency and better genetics.
