Institute saves 1.5bn Birr by conducting domestic artificial insemination

Addis Ababa, June 26, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia’s Livestock Development Institute conducted artificial insemination in the country and saved 1.5 billion Birr over the past 11 months that could have been spent for importing foreign products vital for the insemination process.

Some 86 million USD has also been secured from export of livestock products during the stated period.

Executive Director of the Institute, Asrat Tera revealed that the Institute was established to play role to enhancing the productivity, quality and competitiveness of the livestock sector to ensure the development of the country.

The Institute is currently operating in its livestock development branches located at Holeta and Bishouftu towns by conducting productive breeding services and processing livestock feed.

It also provides consultancy services and technical support to investors engaged in the production of insemination, fodder and livestock products, the Executive Director added.

The Institute planned to produce 2.2 million doses of artificially inseminated produced and has managed to fully accomplish its plan for the fiscal year, he further noted.

Artificial Insemination is vital instrument to boost dairy productivity and reduces risk of disease transmission.

“Five years back we were able to produce not more than 500,000 doses but this year we managed to produce 2.2 million doses and recovered 1.5 million birr which could have been expended for importing doses produced in foreign countries,” the Executive Director further elaborated.

He added that the Institute is currently equipped with a standardized laboratory in which artificially inseminated doses are processed, produced and properly packed for use.

Furthermore, 580,000 of fluid nitrogen have been produced as a resource material for producing sperms for artificial insemination, Asrat added.

The Institute has been identifying and registering cows with better yields of milk in 65 districts across the country in order to enhance the production and productivity of milk.

Over the last 11 months of the fiscal year the nation has secured 86 million USD from export of livestock products which is 70 percent of the plan.

The Executive Director explained that the Institute is also engaged in reproducing heifers and has managed to distribute more than 220 of them to local farmers, ENA reported.

By combining the traditional and modern skills of artificial insemination, new varieties of sheep and goats are also in the process of being produced by the Institute, it was learned.