Determination of Smallholder Farmers’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Fertility and Artificial Insemination Programmes: A Case of Mpwapwa District of the Dodoma Region in the Central Zone of Tanzania

Abstract

A survey was administered across 100 farmers in the Mpwapwa district in the central zone of Tanzania to determine their knowledge and practices in relation to fertility management and their interest in using AI. Very few of the farmers had used AI (18), although a majority had heard of it (52). Of the farmers who had heard of, but not used AI the main constraints identified were lack of access to AI (26/40) and cost (9/40). If effective AI provision could be made, 69 of the respondents 28 would be interested in using it (including 17/18 that had previously used it). This suggests that the reintroduction of AI services into the Mpwapwa district and similar regions in Tanzania could be successful. However, across the respondents there was little consistency in reproductive or routine management practices. Of particular concern was the lack of useable records on many farms. To ensure that the reintroduction of AI is effective, improvement is needed in smallholder farms management practices. Such changes would not only improve the impact of AI but also the productivity of beef cattle farming in the district.