ASSESSMENT OF PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION SERVICES IN DEBRE TABOR TOWN

Abstract

ABSTRACT Artificial insemination is recognized as the best biotechnological technique for increasing reproductive capacity and has received widespread application in farm animals. A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2014 to April 2015 with the objective of assessing the problems associated with artificial insemination service in and around Debre Tabor town. In this study, a structured questionnaire was used and 400 respondents were interviewed. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis of the data. According to the study result, 34.2% of the smallholder dairy farmers have got artificial insemination services regularly and without interruption while 65.8% of them do not due to unavailability of artificial insemination technicians 44.8%, discontinuation of service on weekends and holidays 32.2% and lack of inputs 25.0% with statistical significance between kebele (P<0.05) for shortage of AITS and inputs. Conception failure 38.3%, unavailability of artificial insemination technicians 19.5%, disease 32.5% and both conception failure and unavailability of artificial insemination technicians 20.0% were the major identified constraints of artificial insemination delivery system. From 275 no satisfied dairy farmers 111 (42.0%) passed the date without breeding cows by artificial insemination and natural mating and also164 (58.0 %) used natural mating and waiting the next time to use artificial insemination services and statistically significant difference was found among dairy farmers. Similarly, from 125 satisfied dairy farmers 6 (5.1%) passed the date without breeding the cow with Artificial insemination and natural mating and also119 (42.0%) used natural mating and waiting the next cycle to use artificial insemination services. Mastitis, tuberculosis and problems associated with calving were the major disease that hindered proper breeding of AI service. Generally, the questionnaire surveys indicated that artificial insemination is not doing well in the study kebeles. Therefore, artificial insemination service requires urgent measures to change the situation to achieve success. Key words: Artificial insemination, constraints, Debre Tabor, Dairy cattle