An investigation of factors contributing to success rate of bovine artificial insemination carried out in Hurungwe district

Abstract

Artificial insemination (AI) is the main used reproductive biotechnology in the world when it comes to livestock production. It offers important advantages in genetic improvement and disease control. In Zimbabwe, it is not adopted as it should, although it has all these benefits. This study sought to investigate the factors contributing to bovine AI success rates in Hurungwe District. The main objective was to examine factors contributing to the success rates of bovine AI services within the district. Specific objectives included determining the role of government and private sector extension in supporting bovine AI; identifying the sources of semen used by farmers practicing AI and assessing the level of knowledge and experience of individuals conducting AI in the district. 100 cattle farmers were used after stratified random sampling from a population of 400 which consist of communal, smallholder, commercial beef and dairy farmers. Extension officers, AI technicians and veterinary officers were also engaged through purposive sampling. Interms of data collection structured questionaires and interviews were used and the data was analyzed using SSPS. The study showed that the majority of participating farmers (45%) were aged 40 50 years, with 80% having attained secondary education. Regarding semen supply, private companies contributed 60% of semen used in the district, followed by university processing units at 25% and NGOs at 15%. Organizational roles were divided with Agritex providing farmer education, the Veterinary Department overseeing animal health, the Research Department conducting semen evaluation and NGOs offering financial aid. Interms of knowledge and experience 60% of individuals conducting AI were non-skilled or untrained and a further 20% were only semi-skilled, this shows that 80% of practitioners lacked formal technical competency. Only 20% were classified as trained or fully skilled. AI success in Hurungwe District is mainly affected by a shortage of skilled personnel, a weak semen supply chain, partitioned institutional coordination and limited infrastructure. The study recommends the establishment of at least one community-based semen and liquid nitrogen storage depot in the district. It also advocates on a restructuring of Agritex extension programmes to include AI-specific modules covering estrous detection, semen handling, nutritional management of breeding females. The department of Veterinary services must train post-AI pregnancy monitoring skills since it's part of gap identified.