Artificial insemination in Botswana: Challenges and opportunities - A review

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.