Investigation of efficiency on Artificial Insemination Techniques in Batticaloa District (Dry Zone), Sri Lanka

Abstract

Tremendous level of productivity of dairying has been successfully achieved using technologies like Artificial Insemination (AI). Sri Lanka is one of the tropical countries consisting sufficient land in its most of the Dry Zone where the peak population of cattle and buffalo contributed to the production performance is still below their potential. Therefore, this study was carried out in Batticaloa District (Dry Zone) in order to understand the efficiency on AI and its adaptation. And also, collected data were statistically interpreted to understand the relationship between the success rate of AI via the SPSS (version 22) software. According to the results revealed that the non-descriptive breeds (90.42%) (n=132,679) were higher in number while comparing with Indian (6.13%) (n=8990) and European Crosses (3.45%) (n=5062) and also mean ± SD of the environmental temperature and relative humidity were 28.12 ± 2.08 0C and 77.29 ± 5.64%, respectively too. Approximately, 69.3% of the farmers utilised AI services where rearing system was mainly Intensive and Extensive with the respective value of 30.7% and 50%. Here, around 55% of the breeds are Sahiwal and its Crosses. However, there was a negative significant relationship obtained between the success rate of AI and European Crosses (p<0.01, r = 0.747), as well. It was confirmed that the Breed of Sahiwal (p<0.01, r = 0.543) reared under the Intensive System (p<0.01, r = 0.589) showed a positive significant relationship with the success rate. Moreover, the relationship was negative (p<0.01) with the number of cattle available in the extensive system which led to the poor performance (p<0.01, r = 0.877) in AI. In conclusion, perception revealed the positive significant relationship with the adaptation of AI Techniques (p<0.01, r = 0.747) by the present farmers. However, these conditions are below the potential of AI in Dry Zone where further enhancement, consideration and training are needed to reach high success rates, as well.