Establishment of Artificial Insemination Unit (AIU) in Nyala
Starting Date:
May 2012
Completion Date:
October  2012
Ministry responsible for project implementation:
Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries
Contribution from FAO:
US$149,800
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BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
The history of importing horses for breeding dated back to 1944. The Veterinary Authorities used to import horses from Britain for improving the breeds and performance of local horses. Then, efforts continued in 60s and 70s rendering Sudan as an exporter to other countries such as Iraq, Egypt, Jordan and Nigeria. Representatives of these countries used to attend tribal shows and celebrations that reflect the cultural aspects of the Sudanese people. The main variety was Sudan Country-Bred which is a light righting horse originated in Sudan. It was developed during the 20th century from crosses of Arab and Thoroughbred horses with the Dongola breed. It is found in various colours such as bay, brown, chestnut, roan, gray or black.
There was a breeding centre in Nyala town, capital of South Darfur State. It used to receive between 70 – 90 female horses (fillies) and, thus, had become the main source of Sudan Country-Bred (SCB) racing horses for Khartoum. The annual rate of supply was 400 – 500 horses (Shaddad 1990). This boom has been affected – somehow – by the ecological and environmental degradation; however, the interest of the Sudanese people on horses has been maintained.
The efforts have continued despite the difficulties facing this sector. For example, the Bank of Animal Resources contributed by five (5) stallion horses in 1994; and the Adiyat Company had filled a big gap by contributing ten (10) stallions to Kebkabiya, Addeain, Tulus, Idd el Fersan, El Geneina, Kass, Habeila and Nyala.
Darfur is very potential for advancing in this field as it is endowed with human resources, accumulated knowledge and the inherited instinct of rearing horses. To achieve this objective Darfur needs to adapt a holistic vision and practical strategy to break the vicious circle that curbs qualitative evolution of horses. This requires the following measures to be taken: –
Import western varieties, particularly, from USA that owns the biggest stock in the world and the best genes.
Full utilization of the stallion requires development of artificial insemination unit in order to make storage and transport of horse semen easy. Horse owners travel thousands of miles in search of good stallions.
The Government of South Darfur State has managed to construct stables of international standards. This has created an environment conducive for importing four (4) horses by our charity association. The imported horses have adopted the new environment though very sensitive to the climate and food. It is absolutely not acceptable to use old unhealthy and chronically contaminated stables for imported horses. Such stables have caused high rate of morbidity among imported horses.
Now it is time to correct the drawbacks of the past in order to protect the newly imported horses. This can be achieved through intensive diffusion of artificial insemination, and cool storage of semen to mitigate unanticipated risks. This was not possible in the past because liquid nitrogen but the State Ministry of Animal Resources has committed to establish a plant for this purpose in Nyala town.
There is a need to import more six (6) horses to distribute them to the Localities; however, it is not possible because the insurance companies don’t insure horses in rural areas. This necessitates keeping the horses in the main towns (Nyala, Fashir and Geneina) and only sending samples to the rural areas.
The number of fillies arrives to Nyala town during the rainy season (July – October) ranges between 4,000 and 5,000. Most of them don’t get access to cohabitation due to the limited number of stallions or low fertility of exhausted stallions. Hence, establishment of the unit will make insemination easier and will increase the access of fillies to artificial insemination. Moreover, it will reduce the burden on horses and consequently reduces the mortality rate.
The artificial insemination unit can be upgraded to produce improved genes for other animals such as camels, cows, boats and mules. Improvement of breeds of these animals will support the local economies, particularly, after the mass morbidity of animals caused by successive series of droughts and conflicts. Reproduction of mules will help farmers in their agricultural operations because they are strong.
One of the proposed elements of this project is financial, technical and institutional support to the State Laboratory in order to develop and produce vaccine for treatment of African Horse sickness (Nagma disease). This is a dangerous and fast-spreading infection as 90% of infected horses die.
Another important element of this project – related to capacity building – is organization of workshops on care and training of horses and awareness-raising.
The State Government has already spent $80K for construction of the stables and we have spent $120K to import 5 horses. We are determined to improve the services and reduce the suffering of the horse owners.
Governance Bureau is looking for support from potential donors to implement this project in full collaboration with the State Ministry of Animal Resources and other relevant parties. We have rich experience that extends over three decades, on dealing with horses. We have imported the best types of horses in Sudan.
