Constraints to the adoption of the artificial insemination technology by dairy farmers of Buhweju district in Uganda.

Abstract

Artificial insemination (AI) is one of the most effective tools available to cattle producers to improve productivity and profitability of their cattle operations. It confers several advantages over natural mating. Its use has been of enormous economic benefit through genetic Improvement of the animals for milk production and the control of venereal diseases. Low genetic potential among other causes, is responsible the poor milk productivity of the indigenous cattle of Uganda. However, breeding with semen from proven sires will facilitate faster genetic improvement and enhance milk productivity. A.I is a key tool in the realization of such an objective. Despite its, presence in Uganda for over 60 years, less than 10% of the country herd has, been bred using this technology, the reasons for this low-adoption are not very clear. Consequently, a cross-sectional study was designed to determine constraints to the adoption' of the A.I. technology by dairy farmers of Buhweju district Specifically, the study sought to establish the farmers' attitudes and knowledge about A.I. and to determine the factors Limiting the utilization of this technology. The data collected was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 16.0 and the results presented in form of pie charts and frequency tables. The study revealed that there was a group of farmers who were totally ignorant about the A.I technology, those who claimed it could harm their animals and those who saw it as, being too expensive. The study also found out that there was easy access to free natural breeding services; lack of precise breeding objectives by the farmers; high costs of A.I. equipment, absence of budget allocations to A.I; and lack of facilitation to the A.I. technicians. Further. A.I facilities were far from the farms; the trained technicians were very few; even then, they Jacked transport to -the farms and the fanners failed to seek timely A. I services. To better appreciate the advantages of A.I, it was recommended that the farmers undergo sensitization programmes and training in heat detection and breeding, it was also recommended that the practice of sharing or using stray bulls is discouraged as this could lead to the spread of venereal diseases and indiscriminate mating, resulting in poor productivity. Further, the study urges that more efforts be made by the relevant authorities to train additional A.I technicians and to properly facilitate and motivate them.