ASSESSMENT OF STATUS, PRACTICES AND CONSTRAINTS ASSOSSIATED WITH ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION SERVICE DAIRY COWS IN GADAB ASASA DISTRICT OF WEST ARSI ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Although artificial insemination, the most commonly used and valuable biotechnological tool which has been in operation in Ethiopia for over 30 years, the efficiency and impact of the operation have not been well-documented. This study was undertaken in Gedab Hasasa district with objectives of assessing status of artificial insemination service in Gedab Hasasa district, identifying artificial insemination practices of dairy cattle in the study area and identifying the major constraints associated with AI in study area. For this study across sectional survey study was used. From the total kebels found in the district (33 kebeles) about six(6) kebeles were selected purposively based on accessibility, cost of sample collection and availability of dairy cows. Then, about 180 households were selected using simple random sampling method from sample frame of population for survey part. Data were collected using semi structured questionnaire; focus group discussion and record of artificial insemination record book (retrospective data). The questionnaires were pre-tested and translated into local language (Afan Oromo) and administered to respondents. The data were analysis using statistical analysis system. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics (means, standard deviation, proportion s, minimum and maximum values).Chi-square test was used to test significance difference between categorical variables and a p-value < 0.05 was considered to look this significance level. Livestock production in the area had an increasing, decreasing, and stable trend with the percentage 9.44%, 75% and 15.56% are respectively trends of livestock production. There was no significant difference between Keble’s (p>0.05). Artificial insemination services in the study area 91.67% respondents of dairy owner while 8.33% dairy owner reported that the not available. There was no significant difference between Kebles (p>0.05) The major constraints associated with artificial insemination service in the study area were lack of AITs, lack of awareness about heat detection and delayed time of insemination with an index value 0.265, 0.232 and 0.117, respectively. It recommended that awareness should be created for farmers focusing on heat detection, time of insemination and the linkage between federal, regional, zonal and district institution should be strong enough to encourage the AIT. Therefore, artificial insemination services require urgent measures to improve service delivery mechanism.