On 1 September in Ashgabat, a joint project was signed online between the State Association of the Livestock and Poultry Industry of Turkmenistan and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). The document concerns the launch of the project ‘Improving services for cattle breeding and artificial insemination’, reports the news website Turkmenportal.

On the Turkmen side, the document was signed by Gochmyrat Atayev, Chairman of the State Association of the Livestock and Poultry Industry of Turkmenistan. On behalf of the FAO, the document was signed by Viorel Gutu, Deputy Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia.

The aim of the project is to increase the cattle herd through selective breeding and to build national capacity to provide artificial insemination services using digital technologies.

The project involves improving the legislative framework for breeding livestock, as well as strengthening the technical capacity of specialists and laboratories, including the provision of equipment. Funding will amount to US$180,000, with completion scheduled for 2028.

Following the project’s implementation, it is planned to develop a strategic roadmap, draw up standard operating procedures and introduce a national information system for livestock breeding. Provision has also been made for the preparation of an updated national herd book and a set of legal and regulatory recommendations to improve the genetic potential of livestock.

The parties expect that the project will boost livestock productivity, strengthen food security and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country’s rural areas. Following the ceremony, the parties expressed their interest in continuing their cooperation.