Assessment of challenges associated with artificial insemination service delivery in dairy cattle in Rwanda

Abstract

Most Rwandan farmers need artificial insemination (AI) services to improve their dairy breeds. This is because AI as a breeding service is the most available assisted reproductive technology to improve these breeds. However, this breeding service is associated with several technical, socio-economic, managerial, and logistical constraints. Therefore, AI service is likely to remain poor and even declining due to inconsistent service delivery to dairy farmers. In other words, the decline in AI use among dairy farmers in Rwanda could be reversed by improving AI service delivery. However, empirical evidence is lacking for the challenges experienced by artificial insemination technicians (AITs) in delivering AI services. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the challenges associated with bovine AI service delivery in Rwanda. A pre-tested structured questionnaire survey was prepared and used, and 89 respondents (AITs) were asked accordingly in a retrospective cross-sectional sampling design. The results of the study showed that the top four major challenges frequently experienced by AITs regarding AI service delivery were irregular and interruptions supply of liquid nitrogen and other AI consumables (95.5%), followed by the presence of uterine infections (metritis/endometritis) (95.5%), conception failure (91.0%), and poor herd management practices by farmers (76.4%). It mostly emerged from this study that there is a need to provide AI inputs regularly and without interruption, establish a performance-based incentive system for AITs, and improve general herd management, feeding, and breeding practices by farmers. These strategies should be considered for prioritisation in extension services and research to overcome the challenges that have so far impeded efficient dissemination and accessibility of AI technology among dairy farmers. This could improve AI service delivery, increase productivity, profitability, and sustainability of the dairy herds.