Musa Na-Allah, Sokoto
To reposition livestock production and guarantee food security, the Sokoto State Government on Monday flagged off a 10-day intensive training for Artificial Insemination (AI) Technicians under the Livestock Production Center (Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer).
Themed “Advancing Livestock, Securing the Future”, the initiative is designed to transform animal breeding and boost productivity across the state.
Project Coordinator, Dr. Bashir Gwanda Gobir, said the training marks the first phase of Sokoto’s AI initiative, with selected participants set to become pioneer AI Technicians in the state.
He explained that their expertise will focus on modern insemination techniques aimed at enhancing productivity, ensuring food security, and reducing farmers-herders conflicts.
He disclosed that highly sought-after breeds such as GIRLANDO, Belgium Blue, and Limousin would soon be available in Sokoto once the trained technicians begin operations.
According to him, the program will firmly reposition the state as a hub for modern livestock production.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Alhaji Abubakar Yabo, revealed that two veterinary doctors have already been sponsored for specialized training in Indonesia.
He noted that as part of its partnership with Sokoto, the Indonesian Government has donated 1,000 semen samples free of charge.
Yabo further announced that insemination services would be provided free to livestock owners across the state. He called on the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association to embrace the initiative, describing it as a game-changing intervention for pastoral farming.
Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), Professor Aliyu Jibrin, described the program as a landmark development.
He pledged the university’s full support through the provision of technical expertise, research collaboration, and essential tools to ensure the initiative’s success.
Prof. Jibrin stressed the importance of synergy between academia and the livestock industry, assuring that UDUS will remain a dependable partner to guarantee the long-term sustainability of the program.
Raising security concerns, retired Colonel Gwandu, Chief Security Officer of UDUS, warned of increasing cattle rustling cases in surrounding communities.
He cited a recent attack in Gwanfa village, Wamakko Local Government Area, where over 20 bulls were rustled after a fierce gun battle with bandits.
He urged the government to strengthen security architecture around livestock communities, cautioning that without safety guarantees, the gains of the program could be undermined by criminal activities targeting livestock farmers.
Speaker after speaker commended the Sokoto State Government for its foresight in establishing the AI training center, describing it as a forward-looking intervention that will uplift the livelihoods of thousands of livestock farmers.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, represented by its Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Fandirma, assured full cooperation for the success of the project.
However, he called on the government and stakeholders to intensify awareness campaigns to sensitize herders on the benefits of artificial insemination.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Livestock and Fisheries Development, Hon. Bello Abubakar Wamakko, urged trainees to take the exercise seriously and spread the knowledge to grassroots farmers.
He pledged total government commitment, declaring that Sokoto will provide “one hundred percent support” until the desired results are achieved.
Coordinator Dr. Gobir further disclosed that since the pilot phase of the program in January 2025, over 600 cows have already been inseminated, with one of them successfully delivering. He added.
