Journal of
Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health

  • Abbreviation: J. Vet. Med. Anim. Health
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2529
  • DOI: 10.5897/JVMAH
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 416

Full Length Research Paper

Challenges with the implementation and adoption of assisted reproductive technologies under communal farming system

Thinawanga Joseph Mugwabana
  • Thinawanga Joseph Mugwabana
  • Department of Agricultural Economics and Animal Production, University of Limpopo, Private Bag x 1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa.
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Voster Muchenje
  • Voster Muchenje
  • Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag x 1314, Alice, 5700, South Africa.
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Nkhanedzeni Baldwin Nengovhela
  • Nkhanedzeni Baldwin Nengovhela
  • Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Delpn Building, Corner Annie Botha and Union Street, Riviera, Pretoria, 0084, South Africa.
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Khathutshelo Agree Nephawe
  • Khathutshelo Agree Nephawe
  • Department of Animal Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag x 680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
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Tshimangadzo Lucky Nedambale
  • Tshimangadzo Lucky Nedambale
  • Department of Animal Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag x 680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
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  •  Received: 27 July 2018
  •  Accepted: 16 August 2018
  •  Published: 31 October 2018

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the perception of cattle farmers regarding the challenges affecting implementation and adoption of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) such as oestrous synchronisation and artificial insemination under communal and emerging farming systems in South Africa. The study was conducted in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. A total of 27 cattle farmers who participated in the ARTs project were randomly selected, nine (9) from each province. The data were collected through in-depth interviews using semi-structured questionnaire. The collected data were managed and coded into themes using Nvivo Version 11 software programme. A total of 31 perceived sub-themes emerged that could compromise the implementation and adoption of Assisted Reproductive Technologies in the study area. Sub-themes were clustered into three major themes by the researcher, namely; those that arose from human interference, those that emanated from lack of resources and those that were the result of natural causes. The most prominent of the challenges that emerged during the interviews across the three provinces as mentioned were: drought and dry seasons (22), stock theft (21), diseases (21), inadequate infrastructure (19), lack of access to the market (16) and expansion of dwelling areas (13). Interviewed cattle farmers strongly agreed that the removal of these challenges would make the implementation and adoption of ARTs and any other livestock related technology easier for them.

Key words: Artificial insemination, cattle farmers, oestrous synchronisation