ENTEBBE — The National Animal genetic resources center and Databank has embarked on a three-year plan to revamp Aswa ranch for production and processing of multiple export grade products.
Aswa ranch located in Pader district and is one of the governments’ high-potential ranches. So, according to Dr Peter Beine, the NAGRC&DB acting executive director, the purpose of the revamp is to meet the agro-industrialisation aspirations and will begin in this financial year.
“The ranch is going to be revived to support multiple projects including beef cattle breeding programs with over 3,000 heads of cattle already acquired as foundation stock,” he says. “There will also be production of high-grade products for high-end pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.”
NAGRC&DB shall utilize several breeding techniques to multiply pure beef breeds with a potential for putting on 900-1500 grams per day, namely the Boran, Brahman and Charolais breeds to produce beef bulls for upgrading indigenous herds mainly in the central, north and eastern parts of the cattle corridor for fast-growing steers needed for the slaughter market.
Aswa ranch was once considered as the largest beef cattle ranch in Africa and the revamp will go a long way in restoring that pride.
MAAIF
