The first in a series of Farmers Consultations will be held here today, Monday 23rd February, as the Ministry of Agriculture embarks on a nation-wide Artificial Insemination and Breeding Program.

The program is being implemented through a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Agriculture and the Cuban Embassy here.  It will be conducted by Dr. Adael Bernal-Sol a reproduction specialist from Cuba, as part of ongoing efforts to develop the livestock sector.

The program’s lead co-ordinator, Dr. Coleen Phillps, said that Dr. Bernal-Sol will be responsible for carrying out a general assessment on livestock production in SVG.

He will also train technical staff and work along with Ministry officials at various government stations and provide artificial insemination to commercial farmers. Dr. Phillps explained that a series of farmers’ consultation meetings will be held throughout the country.  These meeting will discuss issues of livestock development as the ministry embarks upon initiating artificial insemination in small and large ruminants.

The first meeting well be held this afternoon at the Fitz Hughes Learning Resource Centre from 4:00 p.m.