The Institute of livestock valuation is being revived in Kyrgyzstan with the support of FAO
Chuy Region – Kyrgyzstan is developing its own system for assessing the breeding value of animals (valuation) for use in breeding programmes. For this purpose, the Kyrgyz Scientific Research Institute of Livestock and Pastures, with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has resumed training courses for appraisers.
The training is conducted by specialists in the field of breeding livestock and scientific staff of the Kyrgyz Research Institute of Livestock and Pastures within the framework of the FAO project “Promotion of sustainable development of the meat cattle sector.”
Appraisers are specialists who evaluate the breeding and productive qualities of the animal. They play an important role in agriculture, as their work improves the breeding quality of livestock and increases the efficiency of breeding.
“The increase in livestock production should be achieved through the intensification of the industry, or in other words, by increasing animal productivity and improving technology,” said Kuvatbek Bapaev, Technical Adviser at the FAO Representation in Kyrgyzstan. “Improved animal health and production technologies used by small farmers and large producers require science-based data and coordinated approaches and measures so that the public and private sectors can feel responsible for the actions envisaged.”
The curriculum included the theoretical basis of breeding and breeding in livestock, including sheep and horse breeding, the foundations of the exterior, the interior, and the constitution of animals. Also, the participants of the courses will be taught the correct conduct of primary breeding records of various breeds, will be acquainted with the instructions for the valuation of cows, sheep, and horses.
In addition to teaching theory, the leading specialists of the Kyrgyz Scientific Research Institute of Livestock and Pastures, as well as FAO experts, conduct practical sessions with the participants on the design of tribal documentation and animal health of different breeds.
“Every year the number of livestock in Kyrgyzstan grows. Unfortunately, the percentage of breeding animals that meet all breed standards is not as high as we would like. This reduces productivity,” noted the FAO national expert on animal husbandry, Maripa Kichinebatyrova. “On any farm where there are cows, calves can be born. However, these calves will not be considered breeding animals. Breeding cattle are pure-blooded animals with a proven origin.”
Upon completion of the courses, specialists will receive certificates of appraiser, which will be evidence of their qualifications. Thereafter, they will be distributed to the regions of Kyrgyzstan to assess the existing numbers of cattle and small cattle. In the case of a positive conclusion of the appraiser, the farm will be able to apply for accreditation with the Ministry of Agriculture and obtaining the status of a breeding farm, which will guarantee the quality of the breed, and therefore of production.
“Our institute has conducted a study of the workload for each evaluator. For example, in cattle we need to train 13 specialists who will work in each region of the country,” said Director of the Kyrgyz Scientific Research Institute of Livestock and Pastures, Janibek Kerimaliyev. Breeding farms will improve the quality of livestock. In this regard, appraisers have a very high responsibility for organizing and evaluating the breeding value of animals.
Training appraisers is an important step on the path to sustainable development of agriculture, as well as the establishment of its own breeding system in Kyrgyzstan, for which today there are all the necessary prerequisites.
