Farmer’s perception on artificial insemination under the mandatory pregnant cow program (UPSUS SIWAB) in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Abstract

Low cattle productivity has been common in West Nusa Tenggara (WNT) in which feed shortage being a classic problem contributing to slow growth, high calf mortality and long calving interval. The contributing factor is quality bull shortage. One of the efforts that has been madeto improve thecattle productivity is artificial insemination (AI). This study aims to describe farmer perception on artificial insemination in WNT. This study used case study methodology for East Lombok and Sumbawa district. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using FGD and in-depth interview methods, then analysed descriptively. This study showed that farmer perception on AI in East Lombok was more positive driven by bull scarcity and high price of cross bred calf. Meanwhile farmer perception on AI was less positive in Sumbawa influenced by low conception rates. This was attributed to inaccurate reporting time by farmers, varying inseminator skills and long distance between AI service center and farmer site. The less positive perception towards AI in Sumbawa was exacerbated by high fatality risk for cows giving birth to cross bred calf.