The First Calf of USAID-supported Artificial Insemination Activities is Born

The birth of the first calf from superior Holstein genetic material

The project aims to support over 2500 inseminations by 2014.

On December 16, 2011, the Agriculture Technology Program for Turkmenistan, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Weidemann Associates, Inc., witnessed the birth of the first calf from superior Holstein genetic material imported from the Wisconsin-based firm ABS Global, a world leader in bovine genetics.  The calf, a male named Alaja, was born to a private smallholder, the Durdiyev family, and represents a new wave of livestock being developed by the project to support increased dairy production among Turkmen farmers.

This birth is the first of many to come in the next two months resulting from the program’s 45-day training course for 11 artificial insemination technicians in which over 400 cows were inseminated. Mrs. Durdiyeva recalls, “When I visited Germany years ago, I saw many Holsteins and wished I could have such cows in Turkmenistan. I am now 80 years old and all my life I have taken care of our cows, and with the help of USAID my dream has finally come true for me and my family.” The USAID project is now in the process of supporting the 11 trained technicians to train an additional four or five veterinarians and dairy industry practitioners in Ahal, Dashoguz, Mary and Lebap, which will ultimately result in a corps of about 50 artificial insemination specialists who can continue to promote and provide advanced breeding services throughout the country. The project expects to support over 1000 inseminations for 2012 and approximately 2500 by the end of the project in 2014. Training Turkmen veterinarians in artificial insemination, however, means that even after the USAID’s project ends, these specialists will still be able to provide their services for years to come.

Andrew Segars, Country Director for USAID/Turkmenistan, expressed his excitement over the news and support of the industry saying, “the dairy sector is stronger today – and will be stronger for years to come – with the infusion of this genetic material from the Holstein and Brown Swiss breeds. Under the dedicated care of proud Turkmen farmers like the Durdiyev family, the number of high-yield milking cows in Turkmenistan will increase and these farmers will help lay the foundation for sustainable growth and development of the Turkmen agriculture sector, responding to President Berdimuhamedov’s call for further diversification of the economy.”

This initiative is one of the many activities made possible by the American people through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).  Since 1992, USAID has provided approximately $100 million for programs that support Turkmenistan’s economic growth, social sector development, and community initiatives.