By Nyima Dammeh
The West Africa Innovation Center (WALIC) formerly called ITC, in its drive to enhance livestock production in the country, is currently implementing an animal breeding program to reserve the genetically modified breeds.
The breeding involves small ruminants like goats, sheep and cattle which are multiplied at the WALIC center in Keneba, Lower River Region (LRR); and once they reached maturity, these ruminants are handed over to the Gambia Livestock Multipliers Association for onward distribution among their members.
Mr. Momodou Jeng, an Animal Geneticist and Station Manager at Keneba, highlighted the importance of the breeding program, geared towards reserving their local breeds, which, he noted, are believed to be of better quality and also tolerant to diseases.
Jeng said the scheme seeks to experiment the paternity of the animals which prompts their confinement in a room and are not allowed to mate freely with other animals.
Hence, a track record of all information of the animals is kept, and later distributed among interested farmers who also breed these ruminants, guided by principles.
The Pasture Manager, Mr. Nerry Corr, spoke on the animal feed which helps them in the process of breeding to avoid shortages during the long dry season.
He indicated that a 10-hectare field of panicum maximum is planted to serve as animal feed alongside other grasses such as Brachiaria which are imported from Brazil.
Manager Corr further stated tremendous success has been registered during the breeding program, noting that a lot of their trial breeders have been delivered to farmers who are using them to multiply their animals.
On the same engagement in Sololo at the WALIC Station in Bansang, 10 small ruminants were delivered to the Gambia Livestock Multipliers Association after they were nursed for six months and found worthy for further breeding.
This was done by the station Manager Mr. Modou Gaye, who reiterated the purpose of the breeding program by WALIC. He reaffirmed the activities of the station which he said is just a change of name from what it’s formerly called(ITC); and thus pointed out the activities that are currently ongoing.
The Station Manager further pointed out that not all animals are fit for distribution, but that they are subjected to hardship to test their level of tolerance against major animal diseases, specifically the one caused by the tsetse fly.
He delved into the GLMA group who are serving as points of entry between WALIC and beneficiary farmers of the breeding scheme. This group, he disclosed, comprises an executive body that oversees the breeding program at the community level: a President, Vice-President and Treasurers.
The distribution is guided by strict principles upon which any beneficiary receiving the animal should abide by so as to keep track of the records, as he explained.
These principles are, inter alia: Animals should not be killed, sold or used for any personal purpose; they should be kept in confinement until they show signs of mating; and they should not be allowed to breed with foreign animals.
WALIC monitoring team is instrumental in the frequent tour of beneficiaries to get firsthand information on how they are taking care of the animals. This would enhance the success of the breeding programme, as explained.
Meantime, the breeders were handed over to the following members of the Gambia Livestock Multipliers Association that comprised GLMA Saloum and Fulladu from the Northern and Southern parts of the Country:
Madi Ceesay โPresident for GLMA Saloum
Tida Danso-Treasurer
Lamin Ceesay-President GLMA Fulladu
Mariama Barrow-Treasurer
The animals are sold at reasonable prices to members after being weighed.
