Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Telesphore Ndabamenye, has announced that the country will import 60 breeding bulls from abroad by the next fiscal year to increase the availability of quality semen for artificial insemination in cattle.
He made the remarks on April 1, 2026, while addressing the plenary session of the Senate of Rwanda, explaining measures being taken to address challenges in the livestock sector.
Ndabamenye said Rwanda has already started receiving the bulls, with 10 having arrived in the past two months and placed at the Songa Artificial Insemination Center. Another 20 bulls are expected by the end of June, and the total number is planned to reach 60 by the 2026/27 fiscal year.
The minister explained that the new breeding bulls will significantly increase the number of cows served through artificial insemination, raising the figure from about 120,000 cows per year to around 400,000 by 2027.
This number is projected to exceed 740,000 cows annually by the 2027/28 fiscal year as the program continues to expand.
During the session, the Vice President of the Senate, Solina Nyirahabimana, raised concerns from farmers who reported delays in accessing semen due to shortages of nitrogen used to store and transport it.
In response, Ndabamenye revealed that construction of a new nitrogen production plant has already begun in Kayonza District and is expected to be operational by December this year.
The government also plans to install two additional nitrogen production machines in Musanze District and Karongi District over the next two years to ensure sufficient supply nationwide.
In the long term, Rwanda plans to partner with investors by 2029 to introduce technology that allows farmers to use semen that guarantees the birth of female calves. However, the cost of artificial insemination is expected to increase from the current subsidized fee of 500 Rwandan francs to about 10,000 francs.