Azerbaijan, Baku, April 3 / Trend A.Hasanov /
Azerbaijan is the only country in South Caucasus to open centers for artificial insemination for development of animal husbandry in the country, said the director of the department for processing, production of livestock products of the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan, Chingiz Farajov, in an article published in the Azerbaijan newspaper.
"Artificial insemination centers were established in each regions and city of Azerbaijan," said Farajov.
For the implementation of artificial insemination of animals 450 people have received technical training. To enhance experience and knowledge and to facilitate the financial position of technicians at the initial stage they will be given wages.
In 2011 78 216 heads were artificially fertilized, resulting in fact that 46,855 head of offspring were received. Only 5.5 percent of the country's existing total number of cows, buffaloes and heifers (over two years), were subjected to artificial insemination.
Currently, artificial insemination of animals has been organized in Zagatala, Absheron, Agdash, Sabirabad, Gabala, Salyan and Khachmaz regions.
In Absheron region 25 percent of dairy cows were born through artificial insemination. Every year, each technician by insemination of 500-600 head of cattle gets 80-85 head of offspring. It is estimated that last year in Absheron region each cow on average gave 4,300 kilogramms of milk.
Cows bred by artificial insemination, are capable of giving a year on average 3,500-4,000 kg of milk, their feature is also the ability to quickly convert food into milk.
"Artificial insemination has also great economic benefits. So, at the cost of each dairy cow at 3,400-3,500 manat cost of obtaining a calf through artificial insemination is only 20 manat," - said Farajov.
The official exchange rate is 0.7863 AZN to $1 on April 3.