Source: ICSD pictures

Study of the Existing Artificial Insemination Delivery Systemsin select states of India

Intercooperation Social Development India (ICSD) was engaged by the NationalDairy Development Board (NDDB) to undertake a study on Artificial Insemination(AI) service delivery in 9 sample states of India. The duration of the study wasfrom July, 2010 to February, 2011 and the area of study were Andhra Pradesh,Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar andWest Bengal.

Goals: The key goal of this was to understand:

1) Availability of quality AI services in different regions of the sample states.2) Genetic improvement through natural service and its performance in sample

states.3) Understanding the technology, operational guidelines and institutional

policies used by various service providers for AI services.4) The quality of human resources and processes used for its development

for AI service provision.5) Systems used by various service providers for input supply and for service

charges.6) Monitoring systems in place.7) The regulatory framework under which services are provided in different

states

Interventions:The study used a mix of primary survey and secondary data to answer the researchquestions. From each state two districts were selected to represent high and lowartificial insemination AI performance districts.

Within each district, six villages were selected to represent multiplicity of AI serviceproviders and a total of 2,950 farmers, 96 AI workers, 53 veterinarians and 46 bullcustodians were covered during the primary study and field data was analysedusing SPSS software. A focus group discussion was conducted to identifyrepresentative household for in-depth interview. In every state a workshop wasconducted with all stakeholders engaged in AI service delivery.

Achievements:

Submitted a Draft Report on Existing AI Delivery Systems in the Country to NDDBwith key findings, recommendation and way forward. Some of the recommendationsinclude:

∑a A national level breeding bull production programme that is supported byexperts who monitor bull mother farms, elite commercial dairies, progressivefarmers and milk sheds needs to be established.

∑a Public private partnerships for the management of bull mother farms needto be encouraged.

∑a In the immediate term, import of embryos of high genetic merit can beconsidered for select milk shed areas.

∑a Screening systems for bulls for diseases as also the screening systemsfor bacterial quality of frozen semen production needs to be strengthened.Arrangement for third party evaluation by high security laboratories in thecountry would be appropriate and would contribute to total qualitymanagement.Systems needs to be developed to monitor the utilisation of frozen sementhat is sold to distributors and implementing agencies in order to ensurethat AI operations are in line with state level breeding policies and plans.At present there is no system to track usage of frozen semen in variouslocations in the country.

Report:Study of the existing AI delivery systems in the country

For further information contact info@intercooperation.org.in

Source: ICSD pictures