The Minister of State for Animal Industry, Rtd. Lt. Col. Bright Rwamirama has Saturday November 28, 2020 commissioned a Liquid Nitrogen Plant At Mbarara ZARDI.
The liquid Nitrogen plant worth Shs700m was procured under the National Genetic Resources Centre & Data bank (NAGRC&DB) from the Noblegen cryogenics, UK to boost breeding, production and animal identification services in the country.
Liquid Nitrogen is used in the following ways:
_To preserve animal germplasm- mainly semen and embryos
_To preserve other materials in the medical and agricultural research
_For permanent identification of cattle (freeze branding) where there is less trauma and stress to the animals. There are no damages on hides/ skins, keeping the value of the hides high
Currently NAGRC&DB has three functional liquid nitrogen plants, one at Entebbe, another one at Njeru Stock farm and at Mbarara ZARDI.
The three plants have a combined capacity to produce sufficient liquid nitrogen required for breeding, production, freeze branding and other biotechnology work in Uganda and beyond.
Rwamirama revealed that the plant installed yesterday will be able to Produce 150 litres per hour and will produce over 4,500 litres per month which will be sold cheaply to the farmers to reduce on failure of conceiving by animals.
He noted that the plant installed will adequately supply liquid nitrogen to the districts of: Lyantonde, Kiruhura, Mbarara, Isingiro, Kazo, Ibanda, Kitagwenda, Sheema, Bushenyi, Buhweju, Mitooma, Rubirizi, Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Kabale, Rukiga, Rubanda, Kisoro and other districts in the western zones of the cattle corridor.
A set of AI equipment was also procured and one AI Technician was trained in how to use the equipment under the respective District Local Governments
Uganda now has capacity to produce 54,000 litres of liquid nitrogen per month.
