Abstract:
This review is aimed to summarize and synthesize the fragmented information on effectiveness of assisted
reproductive technologies (ARTs) for enhancing genetic improvement of dairy cattle in Ethiopia. Like
most developing countries, artificial insemination (AI) is the first and most commonly used ARTs in
Ethiopia because of its relative simplicity for application. It had been applied for nearly fifty years in
Ethiopia. In order to enhance efficiency of AI service and improve heat detection problem of the dairy
farmers, oestrous synchronization and mass artificial insemination (OSMAI) had also triggered as second
reproductive technology and management. Even though the conception rate of conventional AI service
which was 27 % improved to 39.3% for hormone treated dairy cows, the total number of cross breed
cattle is estimated to be only 705,526 (1.22%) from 57.83 million cattle population of the country.
Furthermore, currently, the average milk yield per cow per day at country level is about 1.37 liters and
the average lactation period per cow is estimated to be about six months. This indicates that the access to
genetically improved dairy cows for smallholder farmers and the reproductive and productive
performance of dairy cows have continued with little change from natural mating. The main reasons for
this insignificant change were interrupted AI service delivery system, discrepancy between time of heat
detection and appropriate time of insemination, shortage of AITs and low efficiency from the available
technicians, lack of appropriate collaborations between service provider and other stakeholders and
absence of herd recording system. In order to improve the effectiveness of the technologies and ultimately
enhance access of smallholder farmers for improved dairy cattle, emphasis should be given on reviewed
problems
