Legal Setup and Performance of Post-Privatization Artificial Insemination Service Providers in Nyeri County, Kenya

Abstract

This study investigated the differences between the various legal entities of service provider organizations which provide the privatized artificial insemination services in Nyeri County, Kenya. The study found that 89.5% of the service providers were serving as private entities, 7.0% were in Cooperative societies while 3.5% were serving as farmers’ self-help groups. All the AI practitioners used motorcycles for transport and stored semen in liquid nitrogen tanks. Government support to AI service providers was only in form of training which was received by 21% of the service providers. Non-governmental organizations also provided training to 17.5% of the respondents. However, these organizations provided financial credit to 3.5% as well as equipment support to 3.5% of the service providers. It was concluded that private AI service providers have a potential of performing better than Cooperative societies or self-help groups despite the benefits of farmers having a jointly owned service.