This 3-day old male calf was produced through artificial insemination trainings conducted by the USAID Agriculture Technology Program in Turkmenistan. The breed is a mix between local Brown Swiss (mother) and pure bred Brown Swiss. Photo credit: Zulya Achilova
We now have about 10 calves born through artificial insemination here in Turkmenistan…and from the ones I’ve seen, they are all just as cute as the one in the picture. More importantly, the genetic stock of Turkmenistan’s cattle, which atrophied over the past 20 years since the collapse of the Soviet Union, will start to improve. We’re aiming for increased milk production – and improved livelihoods. This intervention will reap benefits long after USAID leaves Turkmenistan (not that we’re leaving anytime soon!).