BUBANZA, February 13th (ABP) – Around 200 cows from the 9 villages of the Rugazi, Mpanda and Bubanza communes of the Bubanza province (north-west of Burundi) underwent, from February 4 to 9, artificial insemination using natural heat and after synchronization , as part of the AID-I Kugwiza project, funded by USAID through the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), which is being implemented by the local NGO “ACORD Burundi” in Bubanza province, a check by ABP revealed.
Some farmers from Ciya village in Bubanza commune and those from Karugembe sub-village in Rugazi commune that the check by ABP contacted, appreciate this artificial insemination because, they say, breeding their heifers to bulls costs them between 15,000 and 20,000 BIF. They also make it known that with artificial insemination at natural heat or after synchronization, the farmer is sure that their cow has not been contaminated with certain diseases, as it sometimes happens once mated to bulls. Those breeders also indicate that cows have been beneficial to them because, currently, organo-mineral fertilizers and milk are no longer a concern, “the mouth has food and the pocket has money”, they continue to reveal.
The officer in charge of artificial insemination and genetic improvement at the National Center for Artificial Insemination (CNIA), Mr. Ferdinand Nduwimana, indicates that this Center has its headquarters at Randa in Bubanza commune and calls on farmers to approach it in need.
However, constraints persist because he is the only inseminator in Bubanza province. He asks the State to consider training other inseminators so that there is at least 1 per zone, with the aim of facilitating farmers with artificial insemination.
Note that 3,047 cows were artificially inseminated during the year 2023 in Bubanza province.