Abstract:
Livestock production in Semi-Arid Lands (SALs) of Kenya has continued to decline over the
past decade, thereby threating the livelihood of pastoralists. In the recent past, there have
been concerted efforts by the Government to supply more hardy cattle breeds with ability to
produce enough meat and milk for pastoral communities. Despite introduction of high
perfoming breeds such as Sahiwal, the dissemination of this genetic material among the
pastoralists remain low. Whereas pastoralists’ demand for the Sahiwalbull has outstripped
its supply, the economic assessment for viability and implications of the alternativeAssited
Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) among pastoralist communities remain a mystery. Using
a random sample of 384 livestock farmers from Narok and Kajiado Counties, this study
evaluated the actual and potential adoption of Artificial Insemination (AI) as an alternative
breeding technology to the use of bull. Data were analyzed using ordered probit model,
double bounded dichotomous choice model and Average Treatment Effect (ATE) estimation
framework. The results from ordered probit model show that the decision to adopt AI as well
as farmer perception is influenced by different factors. These factors differed across the AI
perception and adoption decision, and they include: age and education level of household
head, household size, herd size, access to extension services, group membership, experience
in livestock keeping, technology awareness and the production system. The Double bounded
dichotomous choice model results indicate that most of the pastoralists’ willingness to pay
(WTP) was 1,853.19 Kenya shillings (KES), which reflects a premium of 23.55%for AI
compared to the existing market price of KES 1,500. The bidding decision by the farmer was
determined by his/her access to extension services, herd size, off-farm incomeand awareness
of AI services.The ATE for the treated revealed that there is potential for adoption of
Sahiwalbreed since adopters earn an average of KES 661,179.87 compared to their
counterparts who earn KES 564,779.67 from sales of live animals and milk. This reflects an
annual increment of 17%in farm income over and above what Sahiwal non-adopters earn
which was quite substantive given the difficulties involved in livestock production in SALs
where access to water and seasonal changes affect the overall production yield of the farm.
