Superior semen
Cows born through artificial insemination with the semen of superior breeds produce better calves that will grow into larger animals. Improving native cattle breeds through genetic selection in such a way that they produce higher quality meat but still retain their adaptability to the local environment and their tolerance to local diseases is crucial in sustainably increasing their productivity.
The research team at Cambodia’s National Animal Health and Production Research Institute has received various forms of support under the IAEA technical cooperation programme. While they were able to artificially inseminate cows before, they did not have the capacity to collect and store bull semen and perform genetic selection, said Vonika Nou, Deputy Director. They learned the use of nuclear-related and other techniques through participation in IAEA training programmes and consultations with experts. They have also received equipment and materials to conduct the experiments and collect and store semen, while maintaining its quality. Seven staff members of the Institute have been trained in different countries in artificial insemination techniques and bull semen processing.
More work ahead
In order for the project to make a difference to a higher number of farmers, however, more is required. The IAEA has committed to deliver equipment to produce liquid nitrogen, which is necessary to freeze semen for storage and transport, while the country's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is considering scaling up the breeding programme to 24 towns and provinces by setting up a cattle breeding unit in each town or province and getting local staff trained in performing insemination. “Based on the results of the project, the Ministry is committed to rolling out our programme,” Nou said. “This will be an important step towards making our beef industry competitive.”
Nou is also planning an outreach campaign to educate farmers about the benefits of artificial insemination. This is key to the success of the programme, said Chin, the district vet in Bati. Despite being in the vicinity of the breeding unit, only 25 farmers have requested artificial insemination of their cows, he said. “There is some reluctance against the use of new technology among farmers.”
The vast majority of the country’s 3 million cattle is raised by small farmers. In order for the scheme to scale, synchronization of when cows are fertile in a particular village is required. “There is no point in travelling for hours to inseminate a single cow that happens to be in heat,” Nou explained. As a next step, he is looking to develop the capability to use hormones that would regulate the heat cycle of cows.
“We have moved forward but a lot still needs to be done,” he said.
