The Indonesian Government says it is set to assist Nigeria achieve 60 and 40 per cent increase in its milk and meat production respectively in the next five years.
Dr Usra Hendra Harahap, the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria made the disclosure during a courtesy visit on Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi State in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.
The ambassador was in Kebbi to further strengthen partnership between Kebbi State and Indonesia Governments following the visit of Gov. Idris to Indonesia recently.
The ambassador was accompanied by a team of experts from Indonesia towards a fruitful and successful discussion.
Harahap said his visit to Kebbi was to further consolidate on the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Nigeria and Kebbi in particular.
“This visit aims boost the earlier collaboration between the Kebbi government and Indonesian government on artificial insemination and embryo transfer.
“This collaboration seeks to establish state-of-the-art reading facilities, development fund, milk and meat processing unit, implement sustainable pasture system and significantly improve milk and meat production by 60 per cent and 40 per cent respectively within five years.”
The ambassador expressed the readiness of his country to assist Nigeria achieve self-sufficiency in animal production and agriculture in general, adding that it would enhance livestock productivity and genetic improvement significantly benefiting the agricultural sector in Kebbi.
He noted that the proposed technical cooperation in artificial insemination and embryo transfer “reflect our self commitment to impacting on agriculture productivity and capacity building.
“Our premier objective is to achieve self-sufficiency in meat and milk production and processing. We are also increasing technical capacity in assisting with reproductive technologies for the benefit of all African sub-region.”
While assuring that both nations stand to gain from the partnership, the ambassador prayed that the collaboration would be taken to the highest level for the benefit of all.
Tracing the relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia to 1965, Harahap said Indonesia was ready to establish a centre in Kebbi under the Federal Ministry of Animal Health and Fishery.
According to him, the artificial insemination centre will play a vital role in fostering technical operation for artificial insemination and embryo transfer in Kebbi.
He said as a public service agency, the centre would focus on the production, marketing, testing and monitoring of livestock, covering semen quality, while strengthening artificial insemination method.
He assured that Indonosia had been practicing the method successfully for over 28 years, praying that the partnership would not only enhance the genetic quality of livestock in Kebbi but would also serve as a catalyst for sustainable agricultural growth and economic development of the collaborating nations.
Responding, Gov. Idris appreciated the ambassador for the visit as well as the magnanimity of Indonosian government to sponsor two Kebbi veterinary doctors to Indonesia for a training on artificial insemination.
The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Umar Abubakar-Tafida, said: “We are glad, you sponsored their trip and training in Indonesia.
“We are also pleased that the team of experts that trained them followed up to see how those trained are able to cascade the training. We appreciate you very well for this very quick trip.”
Idris also appreciated the ambassador for leading the Kebbi State delegate to embryo transfer centre during their visit to Indonesia, saying that such visit had broaden their knowledge and experiences in the sector.
He said the cooperation macked the beginning of a very fruitful partnership in view of the fact that Kebbi has the highest number of veterinary doctors in Nigeria with one of the largest veterinary in the country.
The governor noted with satisfaction that Kebbi was blessed with highest livestock population in Nigeria, “we therefore wish to extend our gratitude to government of Indonesia for guiding our people.
“We also want to remind you of your pledge to sponsor more of our veterinary doctors for training on embryo transfer this year.
“It may interest you to know that Kebbi is the highest producer of rice and wheat in the country.”
