The European Union (EU) funded Value Chain Alliance for Livestock Upgrading and Empowerment (VALUE) project will officially launch an artificial insemination (AI) station in Mashonaland West as part of efforts to increase production and productivity in pig production among smallholder farmers.

The AI programme is part of an EU funded Zimbabwe VALUE project is part of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Growth Programme (ZAGP) and is funded to the tune of €7.3 million to implement activities in the goat and pork value chains in 20 districts.

Under the pork value chain, the project is working in 8 districts namely Goromonzi, Marondera, Murehwa and Seke in Mashonaland East and Chegutu, Makonde, Mhondoro-Ngezi and Zvimba.

VALUE project team leader, Mr Newton Chari said the project was bringing a solution to challenges affecting small and medium pig producers.

“VALUE is tackling system-level constraints that have hampered the growth of small and medium pig producers from reaching their full potential and artificial insemination is a critical step in addressing production level challenges”, he said.

Pig Industry Board director, Mr Andrew Shoniwa said, “the establishment of the AI station in the Mashonaland West production corridor, is a game-changer which will enhance access to superior genetics by small and medium scale producers.’’

Braford Farm managing director Mr George Mudanga, encouraged farmers to adopt the use of AI as it had a number of advantages over natural services.

He said AI was cheaper when compared to maintaining a boar, especially for small enterprises.

“AI is more effective in terms of production as compared to natural. Initially, two semen doses will be available for the equivalent of US$6 for members and US$8 for non-syndicate members to promote uptake of the genetics.

The programme is covering 10 provinces in Zimbabwe focusing on increasing profitability, building the capacity of farmers, service institutions, and the private sector through increased investment, institutional reforms, and policy alignment.

To date, the programme has capacitated over 1 000 registered pork producers, facilitated the establishment of producers’ syndicates and trained women and youth under the weaner to finisher project.