FG plans artificial insemination of cows for “Milk River” project

The Federal Government says it will commence artificial insemination of cattle at its different research institutes and centres to aid multiplication of cows and increase milk production in the country. Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said this while speaking with youths at a `Leadership Clinic’ organised by the Guardians of […]

The Federal Government says it will commence artificial insemination of cattle at its different research institutes and centres to aid multiplication of cows and increase milk production in the country.

Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said this while speaking with youths at a `Leadership Clinic’ organised by the Guardians of the Nation International (GOTNI) in Abuja.

Ogbeh said the move will kick-start a programme known as `Milk River Project’ which the government was planning to launch soon.

He said the insemination would require the importation of semen from countries like Europe and Brazil to inject into local cows to be able to produce many calves.

 “We are going to start doing multiplications of cows now at different centres.

“ We bring the semen from Europe, Brazil, sort them out, the female and the male, inseminate the  local cows, it produces calves and at 6 months, we wean them, sell them at a cheaper rate to youths.

“They put them at the back of their houses, just ten of them and you don’t need a job for your life.

“You keep the cows, collect about 25 litres of milk every morning, sell it to a mini processor nearby and earn a lot of money daily,’’ he said.