Institutional Structure, Perception, Efficiency and Administration of Artificial Insemination in Central Highlands of Ethiopia

This study was conducted to assess institutional structure, perception and administration of Artificial insemination and identify the problems associated with AI in Adea Berga, Ejerie and Metarobi districts. The study was undertaken using questionnaire-based survey and a participatory group discussion method. A total of 180 households were participated in the interview. A Structured questionnaire was used to describe qualitative and quantitative traits. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Frequency distribution procedures were used for statistical analysis of survey. From the result of the study about 74.8% of AI was handled by government-based AI delivery system. Similarly, 16.5% of AI service was given by private practitioners. About 95.5% of the respondents had an opportunity to access currently existing AI service. However, about 57.47% of the respondents were not satisfied with the existing AI service. Regarding AI service about 90.45% of dairy farmers were get AI service with interruption from current delivery system. Among these 94.94% of the respondents were not get AI service during weekends and Holiday. The survey shows us about 96.83% of the respondents were used Holstein Friesian for cross breeding and also Holstein Friesian breed was the most preferred breed for cross breeding. In case artificial inseminators were too late at the time of estrus sign about 47.13%, 46% and 2.30% of dairy farmers were reject the service and wait for another 21 days, use natural mating and get AI service in any way to their cows respectively. About 61.87% of respondents reported that the failure of insemination was occurred with different frequency. The failure of insemination could be expressed interms of frequency as 38.13%, 24.44%, 20% and 16.67% of respondents at once, twice, three time and more than four times respectively. Difficulty in heat detection was the first major reason for failure of AI in the study area. In addition to the above absence of AI technician was the second while inefficient technician and far distance of AI center for breeding were the third important reasons failure of artificial insemination. In connection with the price about 97.48% the respondents were wanted to increase the price with quality AI service.