1. Chinhoyi University of Technology International Research Conference
Role of breeding and reproductive technologies in the smallholder cattle farming sector of Zimbabwe
Chinhoyi University of Technology
International Research Conference
Dates: July 2015
Venue: Cut Hotel, Chinhoyi
Eddington Gororo, Stanley M Makuza , Fungayi P. Chatiza, Farisai Chidzwondo, Showman Gwatibaya, Raviro Machabango, Passmore Gahadzikwa, and Lawrence Gweme

2. Presentation outline Background The problem Objectives
Data collection and analyses
Results
Summary
Conclusions

3. Background of study Smallholder cattle production
Communal, resettlement and A1 farming areas
Hold > 90 of cattle herd
Multiple functions
consumptive, economic, socio-cultural, etc.
Native, unimproved Sanga-type breeds
Constitute the bulk of the cattle population
Characterised by
Poor performance, and low off take

4. Background of study Improved native cattle genotypes
Small populations of improved Mashona, Tuli and Nkone
Initially developed through selective breeding in the 1940s
Few commercial farms – stud animals; crossbreeding
Government farms – conserved in situ
Outperform exotic breeds in reproductive efficiency, cow productivity & hardiness
Live animals & embryos have been exported

5. Justification
Limited commercial exploitation and diffusion of superior genes to the smallholder cattle herd
Hence no widespread promotion of the merits of improved native genotypes
Utilisation of improved genotypes depends on the ability of communities to decide on, and implement, appropriate breeding and reproduction strategies
Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ART) are a very important link for effective dissemination of genetic gain

6. Study objective
To assess knowledge, application, scope for use and perceptions regarding adoption of novel cattle breeding and reproductive technologies in the smallholder farming sector of Zimbabwe

7. Methodology 261 farmers in Mash West Province
Makonde, Kadoma, Mhondoro-Ngezi & Hurungwe
Pretested questionnaires
Interviews and general observation
Household demographics; herd information, breeding practices; breed preferences; reproductive performance; and assisted reproductive technologies
Data analyses
IBM SPSS Statistics Version 20
Frequencies, crosstabs, graphs

8. Household demographics
Headship - 77% male
Age – 53 years (23-87)

9. Herd information Farm system: mixed, integrated (99%)
Bull ownership: 36% of respondents
Breeds kept
Tropical Zebu and Sanga - 72%
Interbreeds (indig x exotic) - 22%
Not sure/aware - 10%
Breeds preferred
Brahman, Mashona, Africaner, Tuli, Nkone

10. Figure 2 Breeds kept by district

11. Figure 3 Reasons for breed preference

12. Figure 4 Major breeds preferred and reasons for their preference

13. Figure 5 Reasons for breed preference clustered by breed preferred

14. Bulls usually expensive and sold by auction
Figure 6 Ease of acquiring new preferred genotypes
Number of breeding animals are too limited to meet current and future demand
Bulls usually expensive and sold by auction
need to address this access and affordability gap (e.g., through ARTs)

15. Assisted reproductive technologies
Bulls breeds
Brahman: 33%
Afrikaner: 27%
Mashona: 26%
Tuli: 9%
Benefits of a local AI station
access to superior and more bulls: 49%
skills and training: 23%
storage of own semen 9%
Reduction in breeding costs: 5%
Awareness of ART
The term ART: 60%
AI only: 59%
AI + synchronisation: 1%
Training in AI
Interested: 89%
Not interested: 6%
No response: 5%
Semen source preferred
Local bulls: 83%
Imported: 6%
Both: 3%

16. Summary
Improved cattle breeding strategies and novel reproduction technologies application is non-existent in study area
Farmers keep largely unimproved indigenous cattle breeds in communal breeding systems
Strong preference for adapted native cattle breeds (Brahman, Mashona, Afrikaner and Tuli)
Improved indigenous breeding animals are inaccessible to smallholder resource poor farmers
Farmers are keen on learning about and adoption of novel breeding and reproductive technologies
Disease and lack of access to superior breeding animals were the major constraints mentioned

17. Conclusion
There is both need and potential for the application of novel breeding strategies (using locally bred and evaluated indigenous breed sires and dams) and assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs) such as gamete cryopreservation, artificial insemination, oestrus synchronisation, superovulation and embryo transfer for improved productivity and off-take of the communal cattle herd.

18. Tatenda. Thank You.