A study by the Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition (TCI) has recommended the need to raise awareness, improve infrastructure, and offer subsidies to increase the use of artificial insemination for livestock.
TCI Director Prabhu Pingali said artificial insemination offers many benefits for livestock farmers, including the potential to increase their incomes, but still, not many smallholders in the developing world are using this technology.
“Understanding why farmers do or do not use artificial insemination is crucial to crafting policies that encourage its increased adoption,” he said.
TCI researchers examined 18 studies spanning 10 different developing countries. They grouped the factors influencing artificial insemination adoption into five categories — socio-demographics, livestock and farm-related attributes, artificial insemination-related details, institutional support, and psychological drivers.
Socio demographics
Among socio-demographic factors, the researchers found that education and awareness of artificial insemination were the most influential. Six studies found a positive association between education level and adoption of artificial insemination, because more educated farmers are better equipped to understand the benefits of the technology.
Farm related
Milk prices, yields and income were significant farm-related factors uncovered by researchers. They said higher yields and incomes strengthen farmers’ financial capacity to pay for artificial insemination. Citing a study from India, they said it directly linked higher milk sale prices with a higher likelihood of using artificial insemination.
Farmers’ distance from centres that perform artificial insemination is also an important factor. The further a farm is from such a centre, the less likely a farmer is to use artificial insemination. Because the window for insemination is typically quite short, needing to travel far distances increases a farmer’s risk of missing their opportunity, it said.
Out of a range of factors directly related to artificial insemination, cost was the most influential among the studies analysed by TCI, with higher costs associated with less adoption by farmers.
Institutional support
The study found that contact with extension agents and training from farmer association are associated with higher adoption of artificial insemination, as they provide farmers with better access to information and relevant skills. Membership in farmers’ groups also makes it more likely for farmers to adopt artificial insemination, since the assured markets they provide make the technology a safer investment.
Researchers also identified several psychological factors supporting the adoption of artificial insemination. These include a perception of the technology as being profitable and a perception that it is not difficult to use.
The study said that rising demand for high-quality animal food products is occurring at the same time that countries grapple with the implications of climate change, forcing policymakers and farmers to pursue the somewhat conflicting goals of increasing output while reducing agricultural emissions. Artificial insemination offers a solution by accelerating the genetic improvement of animals and improving their productivity, thus reducing herd sizes and related emissions. Aside from the environmental benefits, it also helps to mitigate disease transmission and increases farmer incomes.
Recommendations
Based on their findings, the researchers offered recommendations for policymakers in developing countries to increase the use of artificial insemination.
The study recommended increasing awareness of artificial insemination through educational programmes, campaigns and training services.
It also suggested building more infrastructure to reduce travel times to artificial insemination centres, and provide subsidies or cost-sharing mechanisms to make it more affordable.
Payal Seth, lead author and TCI alumna, said: “Our research shows that there are many possible avenues for policymakers to take in order to encourage the adoption of artificial insemination. Ultimately, the most successful approach will effectively increase awareness, improve infrastructure, and reduce overall costs.”