Presented by Azage Tegegne at the IPMS Workshop on Alternatives for Improving Field AI Delivery System to Enhance Beef and Dairy Production in Ethiopia, ILRI, Addis Ababa, 24-25 August 2011

1. Technical, organizational and institutional arrangements for effective delivery of oestrus synchronization program Azage Tegegne IPMS Workshop on Alternatives for Improving Field AI Delivery System to Enhance Beef and Dairy Production in Ethiopia ILRI, Addis Ababa, 24-25 August 2011

2. Planning - Technical steps Defining needs, purpose and goal Team formation – multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional Criteria for commodity devpt – population, feed , input supply, markets, institutional support, etc Commodity development locations – GIS maps for milk shed (milk, butter), beef production Selection of sites and farmers – rural, peri-urban, urban, capability, feed, housing, market, etc Selection and identification of cows – breed, age, body condition score, pregnancy status, reproductive history, reproductive diseases, palpation (uterus and ovarian functions) Record keeping – PA, name of farmer, house number, animal name or ID, treatment, AI, etc Organization of program and communication Implementing the field program Post implementation follow-up and evaluation Data collection, handling, analysis and write-up

3. Technical steps in site selection Opportunities for commodity development Community participation - Central Accessibility Availability of animal handling facility

4. Technical steps in animal selection Age Parity Body condition score Heart girth measurement Pregnancy status Lactation status Reproductive disorders and diseases Presence of corpus luteum

5. Some features in Zebu cattle Cervix and uterus are small or cervix is large and tortuous and almost impossible to penetrate with a catheter in some cows Because of the slope of the vulva cows tend to blow up in the rectum In older cows the uterus is often large and pendulous making it difficult to palpate It is often difficult to pick up an ovary and locate the CL Often the uterus is coiled and some cows have nervous disposition making AI difficult. Some cows jump and others lay down during AI Oestrus is short and behavioural signs are poor making oestrus detection difficult Time of insemination is different - Inseminate with one straw of semen each at 12 hours and 20 hours after standing heat

6. Organizational Issues Team composition and formation Defining roles and responsibilities Proper planning Financing, DSA, transport, support, communication, vet support, supplies Organizational culture, norms, behaviours, etc – eg. DSA, vehicle, team work, incentives

7. Some equipment and supplies for field operation Transport, tent, mattress and sleeping bags Kitchen utensils and supplies - stove, cooking utensils, plates, food, water, coffee, tissue paper, etc Light/torch, dry cell batteries, matches, waste basket Electric generator, petrol, portable fridge, Fist Aid Kit and some drugs, repair kit Working table, chairs, label, marker, ear tag and applicator, ear tag marker, Pen/pencil, record sheets, clip board, stickers Semen, liquid nitrogen, AI equipment – glover, scissors, AI gun, sheath, forceps Supplies –hormones, bails, syringes, needles , alcohol , gauze, boots, apron, etc

8. Technical Issues Equipment and Supplies Semen selection – breed, genotype level, Check semen quality – motility, concentration Ensure availability of equipment and supplies – syringes, ear tags Animal Handling facility – Safety first, location, convenience, design, shade, working area

9. Design - Animal handling facility

10. Organizational Issues Team formation – skills, experience, knowledge, training Team harmonization – Set clear understanding of the purpose, objectives, and expected outputs of the program Team leadership – programming, breeding plan and objectives, value chain development, actors and stakeholder Logistic support Appointment timing and management – not all in one go – inefficiency, long waiting time, intolerance, animal stress, confusion

11. With the community Effective communication – purpose, steps, expectations, outcomes, etc Involve leaders, elders, etc Awareness creation at various levels – Leaders, experts, DAs, , AI techs, farmers Community mobilization Training – purpose, animal management, reproductive cycle, oestrus detection, bull separation, feeding, etc Defining roles and responsibilities – farmers, experts, AI techs, DAs, Administration Define timing of breeding and calving Arrangement for commodity development (feed, input supply, health and AI services, milk handling, processing, marketing)

12. During… Plan all activities Team building and team work Roles and responsibilities and multi-tasking Equipment and field supplies, financing Program – experts, farmers, turns, confusion, etc Implementation – time, ID, organization Record keeping Food and water Leadership, coordination and communication

13. Post synchronization Bull separation Oestrus detection Insemination program – time, timing, location, etc Preference to use natural mating Preference to use own bull Repeat breeders Pregnancy diagnosis – mobilization, timing, program Fear of abortion after palpation for pregnancy Sale of pregnant cows – higher value Fear of disease transmission

14. Key Lessons Capacity building – multidisciplinary regional teams Proper Planning – commodity development Ensure necessary finance, equipment and supplies for the team and safe and efficient field operation Leadership - team formation, clear roles and responsibilities, accountability, non-inclusiveness Awareness creation and community mobilization Facilities – animals handling, lab, equipment, etc Technical, organizational & institutional arrangements The technology is a means; not an end by itself!! Synchronization ≠ milk or meat!!!

15. The Way Forward Sound policy and strategy - Develop integrated and coordinated capacity across the whole spectrum of biotechnology Define roles and responsibilities of research and development organizations and the private sector Invest and take strategic alliances and cooperation with many actors, including the private sector We may have a ‘Research Strategy’…but consider more in investing on ‘Strategic Research’

16. Thank You!