The initial stages of the visit involved introduction of Ms. Shio to the activities at the Lanet Research Center, which included activities in the RIA laboratory established with the support of the IAEA, nutrition laboratories, livestock management including stud development, Sorghum and forage development and the livestock recording system.
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Neighbours Helping Neighbours: Kenya Hosts Fellow from Tanzania
News Article
21 August 2007
Fig. 1. Examining variety of sweet potatoes
The IAEA, through TC project URT5025 based at the National Artificial Insemination Cooperation (NAIC) at Usa River Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, granted Ms. Mary A. Shio a two month fellowship in Kenya hosted by the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Lanet Research Center.
Her programme, as outlined by the fellowship supervisor Mr. Douglas Indetie, the AFRA-RAF5054 national project coordinator, involved interaction with AI practitioners, dairy farmers, livestock production institutions, the Central Artificial Insemination Station (CAIS), other KARI Centers, and Institutions recording and registering livestock and milk production from farmers.
Fig. 2. Drenching, Lanet Research Center
Fig. 3. Pasture sampling
She participated in the routine practices carried out at the station such as castration, branding, deworming, vaccination and dipping. She also assisted in ongoing research sampling of metabolites and milk from Sahiwal and Friesian Cows and processing of both blood and milk in preparation for assaying. Forage and grass sampling in the field to determine feed quality and quantity was practiced with the intern to expose her to the process of random field forage sampling using quadrants.
Fig. 4. Semen Collection
Part of the programme involved attachment to private AI providers and agents of semen producers operating commercially. The importance of public and private sector partnerships was demonstrated and routine interaction with the farming community at the market was part of the awareness created by the programme.
Attachment to CAIS was a major component of the programme and involved exposure to semen collection, processing, handling and distribution. The laboratory procedures plus the management of the bulls and the selection criteria was part of the programmme.
Fig. 5. Microscopic evaluation of semen
Exposure to livestock recording and stud book management, including the registration of livestock, was a critical component of the programme, considering that URT5025 involves delivery of AI services in Tanzania. Real small-scale farming systems were presented by visits to successful smallholders practicing commercial farming.
Fig. 6. Tree planting at the Center
Mary was also integrated into some of the Centre social outreach activities, which included an environmental conservation outing where trees were planted at various sites in the local neighborhoods around the centre. All Centre staff participated in this event, which was spearheaded by the centre Director Dr. Muhuyi.
