Adoption of assisted reproductive technologies and Sahiwal cattle breed and their impact on household farm income in Narok and Kajiado counties of Kenya

Abstract

Livestock production in Semi-Arid Lands (SALs) of Kenya has continued to decline over the past decade, thereby threating the livelihood of pastoralists. In the recent past, there have been concerted efforts by the Government to supply more hardy cattle breeds with ability to produce enough meat and milk for pastoral communities. Despite introduction of high perfoming breeds such as Sahiwal, the dissemination of this genetic material among the pastoralists remain low. Whereas pastoralists’ demand for the Sahiwalbull has outstripped its supply, the economic assessment for viability and implications of the alternativeAssited Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) among pastoralist communities remain a mystery. Using a random sample of 384 livestock farmers from Narok and Kajiado Counties, this study evaluated the actual and potential adoption of Artificial Insemination (AI) as an alternative breeding technology to the use of bull. Data were analyzed using ordered probit model, double bounded dichotomous choice model and Average Treatment Effect (ATE) estimation framework. The results from ordered probit model show that the decision to adopt AI as well as farmer perception is influenced by different factors. These factors differed across the AI perception and adoption decision, and they include: age and education level of household head, household size, herd size, access to extension services, group membership, experience in livestock keeping, technology awareness and the production system. The Double bounded dichotomous choice model results indicate that most of the pastoralists’ willingness to pay (WTP) was 1,853.19 Kenya shillings (KES), which reflects a premium of 23.55%for AI compared to the existing market price of KES 1,500. The bidding decision by the farmer was determined by his/her access to extension services, herd size, off-farm incomeand awareness of AI services.The ATE for the treated revealed that there is potential for adoption of Sahiwalbreed since adopters earn an average of KES 661,179.87 compared to their counterparts who earn KES 564,779.67 from sales of live animals and milk. This reflects an annual increment of 17%in farm income over and above what Sahiwal non-adopters earn which was quite substantive given the difficulties involved in livestock production in SALs where access to water and seasonal changes affect the overall production yield of the farm.