With the demand for artificial insemination (AI) services on the rise, stakeholders are calling for setting up of more liquid nitrogen (N2) plants in the counties.
The Kenya Veterinary Paraprofessional Association (KVPA) has attributed the high cost of AI to lack of such plants, which are used to preserve semen.
The association asked the national and county governments to allocate funds to the project, saying this would boost breeding facilities in the county.
KVPA Chairman John Ngigi said the country had only one liquid nitrogen plant, which is in Kabete at the Kenya animal genetic resources center.
"We understand there are plans to put up two plants in Eldoret and Ol Joro Orok and there is need for more so that farmers can easily access these services at a lower cost," he said.
This emerged on Monday in Naivasha, Nakuru County, during a stakeholders' meeting meant to address the move by county governments to start offering AI services.
Ngigi warned that the project could collapse due to lack of co-operation with private animal health practitioners, who have been carrying out the exercise for years.
He said the project spelled doom for private practitioners with many set to lose their jobs in the process.
"We are requesting that every registered vet professional be involved in his own practicing area in this project by the county," he said.
Ngigi noted that county governments were employing few individuals in the county AI schemes. As a result, he said, the workers were ending up covering large areas than normal. "We request the county governments to have consultations with veterinary professionals in disease control and AI," he said.
