Assessment of the Status, Perception of Farmers and Constraints of Estrus Synchronization and Mass Artificial Insemination in Adami Tulu Jidokombolcha District, East Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Assessment of the status of Estrous synchronization and mass artificial insemination (OSMAI) program was conducted at Adami Tulu Jidokombolcha District. The impact assessment study for the OSMAI project was conducted using semi structured questionnaires and focus group discussions of various stake holders. A total of 120 respondents were randomly selected from 6 Kebeles where the OSMAI project was initiated. The result indicates that 75.8% of respondents in the district use both artificial insemination (AI) and natural mating (NM), however they preferred NM over AI. This was ascribed to poor services and inconsistencies by the AI technicians (AIT) especially on weekends and holidays, shortage of AIT, shortage of inputs and provision of the services. About 52.1% of respondents didn’t have any information about the genotypes of the sire and their special attributes. The study further indicates that the primordial decision maker in selecting the cattle to be included in the program was the AI technician, in most of the cases this was done even without the knowledge of the farmers and also the experts involved. This led to a resentment among the beneficiaries and therefore majority of them were not satisfied with the way the program was handled and the outcome was much below their expectations. As the respondents were not appraised about the OSMAI program they were not able to follow the intricacies associated with the management of the cattle and also regarding the insemination protocols to be followed. Keywords: Estrus mass synchronization and artificial insemination, Adami Tulu Jidokombolcha DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-23-01 Publication date: December 31 st 2019