Two more calves born through artifical insemination programme

Over the weekend, two more calves were born – conceived through the artificial insemination programme started by the Ministry of the Agriculture.

This was revealed by Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar during a media conference held yesterday, April 18.{{more}}

He noted that the insemination programme was started as a way of improving food security and reducing inflation costs on beef.

“I recalled when we would have exported the first shipment of cattle some persons said ‘Minister if you export the cattle to Grenada…we will endanger our food security here and it is going to cause inflation in the price of beef’,” Caesar explained.

“What we did, the Cabinet requested of the chief vet to come up with a comprehensive plan, and to give technical advice as to which animals are supposed to be exported; and we came up with a programme to develop an artificial insemination plan.”

The Minister stated that with the expertise of the Chief Veterinarian they were able to ensure that the semen was taken from bulls in countries which are not disease prone.

“We received from the government and people of Cuba a technician…a man with over 35 years of experience in artificial insemination…and we received from the government and people of Jamaica several hundred straws of semen. Red poll, Black poll and Jamaican Hope,” he added.

The project, which was launched 10 months ago, has so far seen the birth of three calves, with the first being born on April 12.

“In this month we are going to have a lot more, and farmers are happy.”

Additionally, Caesar said that from this initiative, calls are being made for the expansion of cattle stocks.

“We have to ensure that we address the issue of land space. We have to also look at different breeds as well because whilst we have the Jamaica Hope…there is out there the beef master, there is the Holstein,” the Minister indicated.

Moreover, he stated that the expansion would not only be for the procurement of beef but also to address the issue of milk production.

“St Vincent and the Grenadines at one time produced and processed significant quantities of milk, and if it was done before it can be done again.”

“In fact we have so many cattle in this country because of the excellent work which was done by the Diamond Dairy and the establishment around it to ensure that better breeds came into the country, and that a production package was in place; and this is something that we want to ensure that we continue,” he said.

Caesar also noted that from this expansion there will be persons getting involved in producing special cuts of beef — because whilst there is continued export to countries like Grenada, locally there has not been an increase in the special cuts of meat which they are providing.

“We are still importing a significant quantity of beef, so we are now speaking and entering into the realm of training for our butchers,” he pointed out.

“On Friday, I was engaged in a discussion and some work is supposed to take place next week,” he highlighted.

The Minister further said that with St Lucia on the brink of opening their $22 million abattoir there will be another market opened for the export of cattle.

“An entrepreneur from St Vincent and the Grenadines can purchase the cattle and take them out to St Lucia, and I am aware that very soon when you have that facility open, there is going to be a need for cattle to be processed.”

With this new market soon to be opened, and Grenada already importing 1,000 heads of cattle from SVG, the Minister indicated that by 2020, this will be an industry that has the potential to bring in at least $10 – 15 million in revenue. (CM)