By George Munene
The Agriculture Development Corporation(ADC) has imported 19 mature bulls from South Africa at a cost of Sh14 million that will help increase the output of semen for dairy farmers by over 30 per cent over the next 12 months.
“We have already subsidised the cost of semen from Sh2000 to Sh200 per dose at our offices in Kitale and these bulls will give farmers a 98 percent surety of conception. We expect that this will add tremendous value to our farmers and have a marked improvement in the lives of cattle keepers in the country”, explained ADC Managing Director Mohammed Bulle.
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The bulls comprise of seven superior breeds that include Friesian, Guernsey, Ayrshire, Red Angus, Hereford, and Simental breeds that were scouted from breeders in Western, East Cafe and Free State. This will help give Kenyan farmers improved breed diversity across various common beef and dairy breeds.
In two weeks time, the imported bulls will join 40 of the 51 bulls that are in production at ADC’s Kitale station and will increase semen production from 30,000 doses per month to 50,000 doses per month which will be a very big boost in production for farmers.
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“Farmers can now source for certified semen from ADC offices and organisations mandated to handle semen in the country instead of sourcing for expensive imported semen from untrustworthy sources when this bulls are already in the country,” added Bulle.