Assessment of the problems associated with artificial insemination practices in Essera Woreda, Dawuro zone, Southern Ethiopia

This study was conducted to assess the problems associated with the artificial insemination service in Essera woreda of Dawuro zone, southern Ethiopia from December, 2016 to August, 2017. The study was conducted using questionnaire survey and records in targeted human and dairy cow’s population, respectively. There was no statistically significant association (P>0.05) in the conception and delivery of cows with different risk factors. But the management of the cows showed significant association (P 0.05) in weekends artificial insemination service among studied kebeles. However, there was a statistically significant difference among the studied kebeles in shortage of artificial insemination technician and inputs (P<0.05). The major animal health problem identified by dairy cow owners was conception failure (39.1%) followed by mastitis (23.4%) and mixed (mastitis and calving problem) (20.3%). A total of 58 (90.6%) of the respondents were not satisfied with the overall artificial insemination service. In addition, equal percentage of non-satisfaction levels of respondents were recorded in Ofa and Guza kebeles (93.8%). The result of the present study indicated that dairy cow owners were not satisfied with artificial insemination service and the service is not doing well in all kebeles of the of study site. Therefore, an immediate action is required to change the problem facing artificial insemination service in the study area and to achieve maximum benefit from the sector.   Key words: Essera woreda, artificial insemination, assessment, households.