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During the days from the 14^th to 15^th May 2025. At VAF, we organized a refresher training for the veterinary in the Rwanda Council for Veterinary Doctors (RCVD) with a Holland expert Dr. Jan Merks. The trainings were basically focusing on the Artificial insemination process. The attendees were able to learn all the steps involved in the modern artificial insemination from the theoretical knowledge about semen and swine genetics all the way to the final step of swine insemination together with heat detection in sows.

On the first day, the attendees first of all were taught about the technology of genetic study and cross breeding in swine. In this context, the attendees were taught about different pig breeds with their history, the history and evolution of Artificial insemination in swine. The trainees were also given a detailed contrast between the natural mating and Artificial insemination. This allowed us and the team of trainees to have a common sense about both methods.

They were also taught about the evolution of different breeds evolution based on their origin location like the breeds from Europe, Asia and in the Americas. Thanks to the Expert, Dr. Jan Merk for his knowledge in swine genetics and Artificial insemination. After the genetics in swine, the trainees were also taught about the most popular breeds in Rwanda, with details about the adaptation of each, the positive and negative sides for each.

The trainees were also taught also about the boar’s behavior and also the sow behavior during semen collection and also heat detection in the sow. In heat detection, the trainees were taught about mostly the standing heat and the determination of the heat in swine. They were also taught about the modern and efficient way of insemination like the insertion of the AI catheter. About the semen collection the trainees were taught how to examine the semen collected for motility, the density and also the formular for adding extender to the collected semen and finally to the step of putting the collected semen into the coolant and to the step of semen distribution and insemination.

On the second day, the 15^th May, it was the day of practicing what the trainees have been learning for the first day. The trainees arrived at the VAF headquarters because all they were going to see was mostly practical. They were firstly taken back through what they saw the day before just to keep the refreshed for the practical part. Starting the practical part, the trainees were taken for the farm tour observing and learning more about the breeds and also observing different sows to look for some sows or gilts that are in heat. That was one of the tasks they were given before the farm tour just to keep them in the mood of what they have been through in the theoretical part the day before.

The tour around the farm was leading them to the VAF laboratory that also conjuncts with the semen collection point. Arriving at the semen collection point the trainees were taught visually how semen is collected, tested (for color, smell, motility, density) and stored. That marked the end of the trainings and the trainees were evaluated about the knowledge they have been given during the two days.