JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND VETERINARY MEDICINE
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2536-7099
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JASVM
Start Year: 2016
Email: jasvm@integrityresjournals.org
Artificial insemination in Botswana: Challenges and opportunities - A review
https://doi.org/10.31248/JASVM2019.150 | Article Number: 49071F933 | Vol.4 (4) - August 2019
Received Date: 12 June 2019 | Accepted Date: 11 July 2019 | Published Date: 30 August 2019
Authors: John Cassius Moreki , Tiyapo Daisy Pelaelo-Grand and Aubrey Ranko
Keywords: Cattle, smallholder farmers, Artificial insemination, assisted reproductive technologies, conception rates
Artificial insemination (AI) was introduced in Botswana in 1966 to provide smallholder cattle farmers with access to superior bulls for cross-breeding to improve their herd quality and performance. This review endeavours to highlight farmers’ uptake of AI service, challenges and the opportunities in the use of AI technology in Botswana. The 15 AI centres have been underutilised for the past 11 years while the number of inseminated cows has declined over time. Similarly, conception rates declined as these are a function of inseminated cows. Some major challenges limiting AI utilisation are persistent drought, outbreak of livestock diseases and parasites, climate change, inadequate extension service, high transportation costs, shortage of qualified ranch managers, inadequate transport, inadequate staff accommodation, lack of maintenance of fire breaks and perimeter fence at the AI centres, and trekking cows over very long distances to the AI centres for insemination. The underutilisation of AI centres presents an opportunity for farmers to send their cattle for insemination. In order to optimally use the AI service, extension efforts must be directed towards encouraging more farmers to use the AI centres.
| AfDB/OECD (2003). Botswana. African Economic Outlook. Pp. 71-82. | ||||
| Buck, N. G., Serema, L. E., & Staugaard, H. G. (1975). Artificial insemination in Botswana. British Veterinary Journal, 131(4), 385-391. Crossref |
||||
| Derah, N., & Mokopasetso, M. (2005). The control of foot and mouth disease in Botswana and Zimbabwe. Tropicultura Special Issue 2005. Link |
||||
| Department of Animal Production Report (2017/18). Annual Reports. Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Gaborone, Botswana. | ||||
| Department of Animal Production Reports (2008/09 to 2017/18). Annual Reports. Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Gaborone, Botswana. | ||||
| FAO (2015). The Second Report on the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, edited by Scherf B. D., & Pilling, D. (eds.). FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Assessments. Rome. Link |
||||
| Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) Report (2015). Botswana. Agriculture Economic Fact Sheet. Link |
||||
| Honde, G. (2018). Botswana. 2018 African Economic Outlook Country Note. Link |
||||
| Kubkomawa, H. I. (2018). The Use of Artificial Insemination (AI) Technology in Improving Milk, Beef and Reproductive Efficiency in Tropical Africa: A Review. Dairy and Veterinary Science Journal, 5(2), 555-660. Crossref |
||||
| Malafosse, A. (1990). Propagation of improved breeds: the role of artificial insemination and embryo transfer. Scientific and Technical Review of the Office International des Epizooties (Paris), 9(3), 811-824. Crossref |
||||
| Mocheregwa, B., & History, M. A. Hurdles of artificial insemination in Botswana. Part of an on-going project focusing on the use and abuse of Artificial Insemination in Botswana, Trent University. Link |
||||
| Mocheregwa, B. (2016). Artificial insemination and the cattle industry in Botswana, 1960-2011. Botswana Notes and Records, 48(1), 109-120. | ||||
| Moreki, J. C., & Ranko, A. (2011). Review of the use of artificial insemination services in cattle production in Botswana (2005-2010). Animal Production Research Advances, 7(2), 99-105. | ||||
| Morrell, J. M. (2011). Artificial Insemination: Current and Future Trends. In book: Artificial Insemination in Farm Animals. Link |
||||
| Mushonga, B., Dusabe, J. P., Kandiwa, E., Bhebhe, E., Habarugira, G., & Samkange, A. (2017). Artificial insemination at Nyagatare District: Level of adoption and the factors affecting its adoption. Alexandria Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 55(1), 1-7. Crossref |
||||
| Patel, G. K., Haque, N., Madhavatar, M., Chaudhari, A. K., Patel, D. K., Bhalakiya, N., Jamnesha, N., Patel, P., & Kumar, R. (2017). Artificial insemination: A tool to improve livestock productivity. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, SP1, 307-313. | ||||
| Potdar,V.V., Bhave, K., Gaundare, Y,. Awasthi, H.R., & Khadse, J.R. (2016). Factors influencing conception rate of local and crossbred cows. IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, 9(10), 51-54. Crossref |
||||
| Statistics Botswana (2019). Annual Agricultural Survey Report 2017. January 2019. Statistics Botswana. Gaborone, Botswana. | ||||
| Statistics Botswana (2016). Annual Agricultural Survey Report 2014. July 2016. Statistics Botswana. Gaborone, Botswana. | ||||
| Statistics Botswana (2012). 2007 and 2008 Annual Agriculture Survey Report. Gaborone. Government Printers. | ||||
| Thibier, M., & Wagner, H. G. (2002). World statistics for artificial insemination in cattle. Livestock Production Science, 74(2), 203-212. Crossref |
||||
| Vikrama, C. P., & Sri Balaji, N. (2010). Use of assisted reproductive technologies for livestock development. Veterinary World, 3(5), 238-240. Crossref |
||||
| World Bank (1977). Botswana Second Livestock Development Project Appraisal Report No. 1630-BT. October 31, 1977. | ||||
Copyright © 2026 Integrity Research Journals. All rights reserved.