A socio-ecological readiness assessment for artificial insemination adoption in Mt Darwin, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Livestock farming is key for food and income in rural communities in Zimbabwe, including Mt Darwin District. But smallholder farmers still get low production because of climate problems, animal diseases, and poor breeding methods. Artificial Insemination, AI, can improve cattle breeds and make herds more climate-resilient. However, AI use in communal areas is still very low, below 15%. This is because most AI programs focus only on technical and money issues, and ignore the social, environmental, and local rules that affect farming in these areas. In this study, a qualitative case study design was used to find out why AI adoption is low. Ostrom’s Socio-Ecological Systems framework, Rogers’ Innovation Diffusion Model, and the Economic Constraints idea was used. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with cattle farmers and key informants; focus group discussions and reviewed documents. All data was analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic method in NVivo 14. Findings show that Mt Darwin has low to moderate readiness for AI. Socially, many farmers see AI as a threat to culture. Men make most decisions, so women’s knowledge on heat detection is ignored. There is also wrong information that AI causes abortions or less milk. Environmentally, dry seasons mean little feed and water, many ticks and diseases, and heat stress. Open grazing makes heat detection and cow isolation hard. Institutionally, poor roads, unreliable liquid nitrogen supply, few local technicians, and no credit or subsidies make adoption hard. The study concluded that AI will not work if delivered alone without considering the local context, and recommend that the Department of Veterinary Field Services, AGRITEX, and partners combine AI with feed and water support in dry seasons, offer subsidized inputs, and use farmer groups to clear myths and empower women.