Abstract
Adoption of artificial insemination (AI) in Ethiopia is low and there is paucity of information in documentation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify the determinants of smallholder farmers’ adoption of AI technology in Laelay-Maichew district. Multi-stage random sampling technique was employed to select 155 sample respondents for the study. The primary data were collected through individual interviews using semi-structured interview and check list. Descriptive, inferential statistics and binary logistic model were employed to describe the study results and identify the determinants of farmers to adopt improved breeding method of AI. The farmers’ adoption of AI was influenced by access to credit facilities and mobile phone, social participation, formal training, frequency of extension contact, knowledge about AI practice and perception of AI profit positively and participating in off-farm activities negatively. In conclusion, ownership of information and communication technology (ICT), access to extension services (training and extension visit), knowledge of AI practices and perception of profit determined farmers’ AI adoption. There is a need to improve the effectiveness of extension service through strengthening the training, frequent home visit, making credit service accessible, and educating farmers regarding the knowledge and importance of AI technology for its effective dissemination. Key words: Adoption, artificial insemination (AI), crossbreeding cattle, binary logit econometric model.  
Highlights
The demand for livestock products and by-products is increasing in Ethiopia
The study was conducted at Laelay-Maichew district which is located in the Central Zone Tigray regional state of northern part of Ethiopia
Geographical location of the district is found at 14°07'00" to 14°09'20"N latitude and 38°38'00" to 38°49'09"E longitude in semiarid tropical belt of Ethiopia with mid-highland agro climatic zone (Behailu et al, 2004)
Summary
The demand for livestock products and by-products is increasing in Ethiopia. This is due to the population growth, improving income and urbanization (Smith, 2013). Dairy farming mostly considered as promising option to improve household income and nutrition in developing countries including Ethiopia (Francesconi et al, 2010; Headey et al, 2014). Ethiopia has a huge potential for dairy development with the number of milking cows estimated to be 9.9 million dairy cows. The country milk production estimates 3.3 billion liters (CSA, 2015). This milk production could not fill the demand of the country and imported an additional $10.6 million of dairy products (Reddy and Kana, 2016). Because of the milk yield depends on the indigenous cattle with low yielding and the country is found to be net importer of dairy products (FAOSTAT, 2014)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
