The Pig Industry Board said yesterday financial constraints are stalling completion of the artificial insemination centre that is constructing as well as importation of grandparent breeding stock.
Artificial insemination is the technique involving the injection of semen containing sperm from a male into a female to cause pregnancy and the technique is used in animal husbandry to multiply the possible offspring of a prized breed and for production of endangered species.
Prepared semen can be preserved for long periods under refrigeration, and it is frequently shipped over great distances.
PIB executive director Andrew Shonhiwa said resource constraints had stalled progress to complete construction of the laboratory.
“The artificial insemination centre is not yet operational because it is not yet complete due to financial resource challenges. Funds are needed to complete the construction and to equip the laboratory,” he said.
“Funds are also needed to import grandparent breeding stock,” he added.
The Zimbabwe government provided funds to build the artificial insemination under the Public Sector Investment Program.
Mr Shonhiwa said when operational, the artificial insemination centre would contribute immensely to increasing the national herd and reduce production costs.
“The artificial insemination centre has the potential to upgrade the national herd in terms of important economic traits like growth rate and feed conversion efficiency,” he said.
“The use of artificial insemination as a way to breed pigs has the potential to reduce the cost of production. Farmers will not need to keep boars at great expense.”
He said the centre would benefit both small and large scale farmers.
The artificial insemination centre has the potential to improve the competitiveness of pork as it involves low costs.
“Improving efficiency of production by using genetically superior breeding stock can result in the production of affordable pork and pork products, a development that could result in the increase in demand and ultimately the growth of the industry,” said Mr Shonhiwa. — New Ziana.