06 Aug 2013

The Ministry of Agriculture will no longer establish new artificial insemination centres, but instead it will promote the on-farm artificial insemination (AI) programme,  the Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Oreeditse Molebatsi has said.

Answering a question in Parliament on Monday, he explained that farmers under the on-farm artificial insemination programme were encouraged to do artificial insemination on their own farms and cattle posts, with government support.  The government support included free insemination training, practical on-the-job training and demonstration as well as continuous technical advice.

“It is anticipated that the success of the on-farm artificial insemination programme will go a long way in increasing artificial insemination coverage and thus improving the genetic quality of our national herd,” Mr Molebatsi said.

MP for Shoshong, Mr Phillip Makgalemele had asked whether the ministry has any plans of availing an artificial insemination centre in the Shoshong constituency given the livestock population and the huge potential for livestock business in the constituency.

Mr Molebatsi said the ministry already operates 15 static artificial insemination centres, five of which are in the Central District, at Dibete, Makoro, Morupule, Sefophe, and Makoba.

He said five farmers in the Shoshong constituency are already engaged in On-Farm artificial insemination programme in Western Sand Veldt farms.

“My ministry also encourages and supports farmers to establish community artificial insemination centres. There is already a viable community artificial insemination centre in the Barolong area-the Panyane Community AI Centre,” said the assistant minister.  ENDS