Milk production in Senegal is dominated by the use of indigenous breeds with low milk production potential (around 0.7 – 1.5 litres per cow per day). Under a government initiative to sustainably improve dairy cattle productivity, artificial insemination (AI) using exotic dairy cattle breeds was introduced in the mid-1990s. Artificial insemination is being used to create indigenous and exotic cross-bred cattle with higher milk potential. To date, however, the use of AI and cross-bred or exotic cattle in Senegal remains low.
This poster, prepared for the Tropentag 2014 conference, shares findings from a study by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and partners, that assessed factors influencing the use of AI and non-indigenous cattle breeds in small- to medium-scale dairy cattle farms in Senegal. The study found that farmers with large families, who depend on crop production for subsistence, and those located farther from AI service providers, were more likely to rely on public (government sponsored) AI services.
This week, ILRI staff are participating in the Tropentag 2014 International Conference in Prague (17-19 September 2014). There is also a dedicated ‘ILRI@40’ side event on ‘Livestock-based options for sustainable food and nutritional security and healthy lives.’ See all the posters.
