Constraints to use of breeding services in Kenya
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Date
2015-08-30Author
Lawrence, FG
Mutembei, HM
Lagat, J
Mburu, J
Amimo, J
Okeyo, AM
Language
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Most Kenyan farmers are in need of services to improve their cattle breeds. The artificial insemination and bull
services are the only available options to improve these breeds. A study was conducted to determine constraints
associated to the use of breeding services in Kenya. The methods used to collect the data included random survey
using questionnaires, focus group discussion and key informant interviews. It was noted that the artificial insemination
was the most preferred mode of service when compared to bull service. However bull service was more used than
artificial insemination, indicating that farmers do not always use what they preferred. Bull service was preferred
mostly because it was cheap while artificial insemination was preferred for offering breed variety. There was a high
proportion of cross breed cattle suggesting that Kenyan farmers are inclined towards improving their cattle breeds.
Larger land sizes production systems were associated with more use of bull service. Households that had used
artificial insemination had more cross breed cattle with more number of cows producing more milk. The main
constraints to use of artificial insemination cited were availability of service and its associated costs. However other
constraints cited included lack of breed varieties, non-conception leading to repeat services, service provider non-
responsiveness, information asymmetries and farmer cash availability. Other external constraints cited were
inadequate credit facilities and infrastructure. It emerged from this study that there is need to provide information to
farmers to help them in making confident decisions in order to maximise the benefits of a service. In particular it was
felt that it is necessary to train farmers on breeding management, especially on monitoring of heat of the cow and
consequent planning for the breeding service so as to overcome cash flow constraints. A multifaceted approach to all
the constraints could be used in Kenya to improve use of artificial insemination for enhanced breeding service.
URI
http://www.ijvets.com/pdf-files/Volume-4-no-4-2015/211-215.pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/11295/92098
Citation
Lawrence FG, HM Mutembei, J Lagat, J Mburu, J Amimo and AM Okeyo (2015).Publisher
University of Nairobi