BIBLIOGRAPHY ROSEMARIE BESAS TESORO, April 2012. ...
BIBLIOGRAPHY
ROSEMARIE BESAS TESORO, April 2012. Assessment of the Artificial Insemination
Program on Buffalo in the Cordillera Administrative Region. Benguet State University. La
Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Erlinda B. Alupias, Ph.D.
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to look into the extent of implementation of the artificial
insemination program on buffalo in the Cordillera Administrative Region; factors affecting the
implementation; the advantages and benefits felt by the AI Technicians and farmers; and the
problems encountered in the implementation of the program.
Findings showed that the extent of implementation of the AI Program on Buffalo in terms
of its program components: AI Technicians’ trainings, farmers class, government subsidies from
both the National Government Agencies and the Local Government Units and the monitoring
and evaluation component done by the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit-
Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-RFU-CAR) and the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO),
were perceived as moderately implemented.
The perceived factors affecting the implementation of the program are: knowledge and
skills of AI Technicians and farmers on artificial insemination; positive attitudes towards the AI
Program; and subsidies provided by both NGA and LGUs. Awareness of the program, as
perceived by the farmers, led them to participate in the farmers’ classes.
The perceived advantage of artificial insemination was the convenience of the Technicians
and famers in handling the semen while transporting them to the inseminating areas. In natural
breeding, transporting the bull is very difficult. The perceived benefits were higher income for
farmers due to better quality of the offspring through artificial insemination and more
manageable behavior of the animals.
The problems encountered during the implementation of the program were: (1) negative
attitudes of the farmers towards the AI program; (2) lack of AI Technicians; (3) no accessible
roads to the farms; (4) lack of information dissemination about the program; (5) insufficient
financial support by the LGUs; (6) dystocia or the difficulty of giving birth due to oversized and
overweight offspring.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Bibliography
. . . . . . .
i
Abstract . . . . . . .
i
Table
of
Contents
. . . . . . .
iii
INTRODUCTION
. . . . . . .
1
Background of the Study
.
.
.
.
.
1
Conceptual Framework
.
.
.
.
.
5
Statement of the Problem
.
.
.
.
.
11
Hypotheses of the Study
.
.
.
.
.
12
METHODOLOGY
. . . . . . .
13
Research
Design . . . . . .
13
Locale and Population of the Study
.
.
.
13
Data Collection Procedures
.
.
.
.
23
Data Collection Instruments
.
.
.
.
24
Treatment
of
Data
. . . . . .
25
RESULTS
AND
DISCUSSION
. . . . .
26
Extent of Implementation of Artificial Insemination
Program on Buffalo as perceived by AI Technicians
and
Farmers
. . . . . . .
26
Extent of Implementation of the Training
Component as Perceived by the
Artificial Insemination Technicians
.
.
.
26
Extent of Implementation of the Training
Component of AI Program as Perceived
by the Farmers
.
.
.
.
.
28
Extent of Implementation of the Government
Subsidy for AI Program as Perceived by the
AI Technicians .
.
.
.
.
.
28
Extent of Implementation of the Government
Subsidy for AI Program as Perceived
by the Farmers .
.
.
.
.
.
29
Extent of Implementation of the Monitoring
and Evaluation Component as Perceived
by the AI Technicians .
.
.
.
.
31
Extent of Implementation of the
Monitoring and Evaluation Component as
Perceived by the Farmers
.
.
.
.
31
Perceived Factors Affecting the Implementation
of the Artificial Insemination Program on Buffalo .
.
32
Perceived Factors by AI Technicians .
.
.
.
32
Technical knowledge and Skills in
Artificial Insemination .
.
.
.
.
32
Attitudes of the AI Technicians towards
the Artificial Insemination Program
.
.
.
34
Support from the Government .
.
.
.
36
Perceived Factors Affecting the Implementation
of the Artificial Insemination Program on Buffalo .
.
39
Awareness and Availment of the AI Program .
.
39
Technical Knowledge and Skills Factor
.
.
40
Attitudes of the Farmers towards AI Program .
.
45
Advantages/Benefits from using the Artificial
Insemination Program
.
.
.
.
.
47
Advantages/Benefits of the AI Program as
Perceived by the AI Technicians
.
.
.
47
Advantages/Benefits of the AI Program as
Perceived by the Farmers
.
.
.
49
Problems Encountered in the Implementation of the
Artificial Insemination Program on Buffalo .
.
.
51
Problems Encountered by the AI Technicians. .
.
51
Problems Encountered by the Farmers .
.
.
54
Summary
. . . . . . .
61
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .
.
.
64
Conclusions .
.
.
.
.
.
.
64
Recommendations
. . . . . .
65
LITERATURE
CITED . . . . . .
67
APENDICES
. . . . . . . .
70
A Sample Letter to the Respondents
.
.
.
70
B Questionnaires for AI Technicians/VBAITs
.
.
71
C Questionnaires for Farmers
.
.
.
.
75
D Acronyms
.
.
.
.
.
.
79
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
.
.
.
.
.
80
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Buffaloes have been an integral part of the livestock agriculture in Asia. It is
an indigenous animal in the Philippines. There are about 174 million buffaloes in
the world (FAO Statistics 2007) and roughly 97% or 167 million heads are found
in the Asian region (Cruz, 2000).
In the Philippines, 3.3 million buffalo (BAS Survey 2006) are kept both in
backyard and commercial farms. About 99% of the animals are kept in backyard
farms and 1% is kept in commercial farms. In the Cordillera Administrative
Region (CAR), buffalo population is 86,680 (all ages) wherein 86,296 heads are
in the backyard and 384 are in commercial farms (BAS 2008).
Buffalo is considered as the beast of burden in the Philippines, producer of
draft power and a primary source of milk, meat and hides. Despite its importance
to the economic and social fabric of the country, its population has been declining
due the following reasons: increased urbanization, industrialization and
reforestation limiting paddy areas for buffaloes; growing buffalo slaughter rate to
satisfy meat demands of a fast growing population; poor reproductive
performance; and lack of proper attention by policy makers and researchers. In
light of this, the animals have to be improved from being a mere source of draft
power to a producer of meat and milk to serve as additional income to supplement
what the farmers earn from crops. This is the very reason why buffalo
development was introduced by the government, which aims to produce
genetically superior germplasm for enhanced and sustained genetic improvement.
The technology of artificial insemination for buffalo was strengthened
through Republic Act 7307 (otherwise known as the Philippine Carabao Act of
1992). The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), was mandated to promote the
development of the buffalo as source of meat, milk, draft power and hides became
operational in 1993 and took momentum from the gains and achievements of the
earlier program of the Philippine Carabao Research and Development Center
(PCRDC) which started in 1982 (PCC History). Artificial Insemination is defined
as the collection of semen of the male and the introduction of the same into the
vagina of the female tract at proper time with the help of instruments (Cruz,
2000).
Artificial Insemination played a valuable and important role in facilitating
appropriate genetic improvement in animal population through widespread use of
outstanding males and dissemination of superior genetic material (Food &
Fertilizer Technology Center Newsletter 153, Sept. 2003). Further, Artificial
Insemination also accelerated the improvement of animal production through the
introduction of desirable traits such as higher milk yield or better growth rate
while conventional breeding takes decades to produce major changes. Improving
the animal’s productivity improves the farmers’ capability to generate additional
income supplementing what they earn from crops. Pagadut (2008) added that the
Artificial Insemination Program was utilized for its economic importance and
other advantages in carabao breeding, reproduction and genetic improvement.
Artificial insemination offers an economically feasible means of increasing
the productive performance of buffalo. According to Tomar (1984), the
advantages of artificial insemination are: 1) One bull can replace the use of at
least ten (10) bulls, 2) Semen from a bull can be easily transported to farther
distances without being hindered by geographical boundaries, 3) Semen
characteristics of every breeding bull are evaluated for their suitability in
breeding operation, 4) a proven bull which has grown old can be fully utilized
during his short life span, and 5) Un-equal mating with un-equal sized mates or
with inter-species breeding may be made convenient with artificial insemination.
As stated by Cruz, 2000, the use of best bulls with desirable traits is maximized
by way of collecting their semen servicing as many females as possible, which are
not normally available for natural mating. Truly, that a semen donor can produce
an average of about 5,000 doses of semen per year which can serve about 2,500 -
3,500 females (NABC 2008). While the use of natural mating, a bull can only
serve a maximum of 50 females per year. Similarly, Limson (2009) mentioned
that improving the animals’ productivity improves the farmers’ capability to
generate additional income. Given a very proficient AI technicians and good
quality semen, it is expected that: the success rate may be comparable; animal
breed will improve with high vigor and larger body size; and, higher production
through good quality carcass and increased income (Paligutan, 2008).
At present, the Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Carabao
Center at Central Luzon State University, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija caters the
implementation of the AI technology in the Cordillera Administrative Region. It
is also mandated to conserve, propagate and promote the buffalo as a source of
milk, meat, draft power and hide to benefit the rural farming families.
Strengthening institutional capabilities towards the improvement of the animal
resources as provider of milk and meat in order to enhance family nutrition and
income among farming communities has been obtaining. The future outlook of
the buffalo sector leads to the transformation of the buffalo as an important
producer of milk and meat resulting to the creation of more employment
opportunities and increase in rural income through the proliferation of buffalo-
based dairy enterprise (www.pcc.da.gov.ph).
The effort was further strengthened when the project established its Semen
Processing Laboratory to locally produce processed frozen buffalo semen for
massive AI services and eventual distribution to breeding centers and individual
farmers to carry out genetic improvement. Training is also important to equip and
mobilize AI technicians to effectively implement the artificial insemination
program. Likewise, development of technologies and assistance in policy
assessment and formulation leading to a more productive buffalo industry
(Mamuad et al., 2008).
Shifting from the use of draft buffalo to small hand tractor is apparently
common in irrigated rice-producing areas. Nonetheless, the reality remains that
despite the introduction of hand tractors, the farmers can not totally do away with
the draft buffaloes. If buffaloes are no longer used for work, then the animals have
to be improved from being a mere source of draft power to a producer of meat and
milk. The farmers need additional income to supplement what they earn from
crops. This is the very reason why buffalo development is needed.
Conceptual Framework
To change the scenario, the government through the Department of
Agriculture and other attached agencies such as the Bureau of Animal Industry
and the Philippine Carabao Center and the local government units were included
to work for agriculture modernization. The initiative and cooperation of farmers
themselves and the community are also important in the buffalo development
program. In addition, it is imperative that other commodities including buffaloes
must be given special concern and attention so that they can be a potential for
development (Bragado, 2004).
The paradigm (Figure 1) shows the direction and coverage of the study. The
independent variables are the National Government support such as: trainings of
AI technicians, AI paraphernalia and cash incentives; Local Government Unit
support such as AI Technicians and their travelling allowances; monitoring and
evaluation.
The intervening variables focused on; the factors affecting the
implementation of AI program which includes the technical knowledge of AI
Technicians and farmers, and their attitudes towards the program.
The dependent variables look into the extent of implementation of Artificial
Insemination on buffalo; and the benefits from AI Program on Buffalo.
Artificial Insemination Program is implemented by the Department of Agriculture
to accelerate the genetic resource improvement for buffaloes to produce animals
with better productivity for milk and meat. The increase in the population of
buffaloes in the Cordillera Administrative Region and increase in number of
farmers’ AI beneficiaries and increase on the farmers’ income could be an
indicator of a fully implemented project.
The support from the National Government through the Department of
Agriculture provides policy framework in directing public investments and the
Local Government Units to provide the support services necessary to make
agriculture enterprises profitable and to help spread the benefits of development
to the poor, particularly those in rural areas (Agriculture & Fishery Modernization
Act of 1997). Provision of trainings, AI paraphernalia and cash incentives are
imperative to fully implement the Artificial Insemination Program and to improve
the technical, business and social capabilities of farmers.
Trainings are provided by the Philippine Carabao Center. This is to equipped
agricultural technicians with the necessary skills and knowledge (Pasalo, 2008).
Davalos (2006) cited by Mandac (1984) who pointed out that agricultural
extension workers who attended more training become more active in pertinent
activities of the government.
AI Technicians who are fully equipped with skills will directly contribute to
the prompt adoption and technology dissemination. These are basic needs for
improved performance of the livestock industry (Livestock Development
Program). According to Estigoy (1990), farmers were provided with latest
information and trained with the proper use of innovations through farmers’ class
and or training.
More significantly, Schwass et al., (1982) emphasized the need to produce
extension workers and technicians who are professional officers, technically
equipped to give farmers accurate advice on matters of crops and animal
production. In addition, technicians must be knowledgeable, well-trained and
committed to serve (Mamuad et al., 2008).
The provision of Paraphernalia which includes semen, liquid nitrogen (LN2)
tank, AI guns, insemination syringes, plastic shoulder length gloves, paper towels,
alcohol and other materials contained in the kit can facilitate the implementation
of the AI Program.
Cash Incentives were given to AI technicians who performed the task
effectively and efficiently. Each technician received P2,000.00 per month as
incentive for all agriculture programs and additional cash of P100.00 for every
calf drop/offspring produced from the animals they inseminated. Provision of
incentives to the AI Technicians can be of great motivation that will contribute to
the implementation of the programs. Estrada (2005) further emphasized that
agricultural extension workers deserve appropriate and adequate remuneration
and other incentives to ensure the responsive and effective delivery of services to
the agricultural and fisheries sector.
An effective monitoring and evaluation components of the program ensures
that the right inputs are made available at the right time and to ensure that the
inputs are producing the planned outputs. Therefore, the success of every program
rest mainly on the consent and dynamic participation of the governed and good
management as well (Tesoro, 2002). It is designed to assess the effects of the
project components. This component was expected to cause the changes and
improve the performance of the implementers and the beneficiaries as well.
Another component of the program is the Local Government Units’ support
in terms of providing their technicians to implement the AI program in
collaboration with the appropriate government agencies and the private sector. In
addition, the LGUs were task to provide the technicians their travelling
allowances and incidental expenses in their respective areas of jurisdiction. Such
provisions or counterparts are assumed to contribute to the full implementation of
the AI program.
The factors affecting the Artificial Insemination Program are the technical
knowledge of both the AI Technicians and farmers. Technical knowledge is
becoming a much more important factor in the success of most developmental
programs/projects in today’s scenario (Moe, 2000). He further states that
technology is the driver of the new economy and human capital is its fuel.
Knowledge makes the difference in how an individual performs and also makes
the difference in how well program/projects be implemented and for that matter,
how well a country performs.
Education plays a prime role in acquiring technical knowledge. AI
technicians as well as farmers should be technically equipped. This could only be
overwhelmingly achieved through trainings, seminars and farmers’ classes. A
technically equipped AI Technicians and even farmers can contribute to the
success of the AI program.
Attitudes of AI Technicians and farmers may be expressed as an opinion or it
may be unexpressed. These have something to do with how they act.
Understanding of attitude helps explain personal behavior which is useful in
understanding collective behavior in society. Understanding of attitude may help
a lot of people, institution and organizations to learn and to be changed.
Independent Variables (Input)
Dependent Variables (Output)
• National Government Agency
1. Extent of Implementation of the
(NGA) support
AI Program on Buffalo in CAR
- Training of AI
Technicians
Fully Implemented 3.0
- AI paraphernalia
Moderately Implemented 2.0
- Cash Incentives
Poorly Implemented 1.0
• Local Government Unit
(LGU) support
2. Benefits from AI Program on
- AI Technicians
Buffalo in CAR
- Travelling allowance
Strongly Agree
3.50 - 4.00
Agree
2.50 - 3.49
• Monitoring & evaluation
Disagree 1.50 - 2.49
Strongly Disagree 1.00 - 1.49
Factors affecting the Artificial
Insemination Program:
- Technical Knowledge of AI
Technicians & farmers
- Attitudes of AI Technicians
and farmers
Intervening Variables (Input)
Figure 1. Paradigm showing the variables of the study
Statement of the Problem
The primary concern of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the
artificial insemination program on Buffalo in the Cordillera Administrative
Region. The program having the general objective for the acceleration of the
genetic make-up of buffalo through the infusion of genetically elite and superior
breed will assist farmers increase their income and improve the productivity of
their existing large population of native breed of buffalo. The study answered the
following questions:
1. What is the extent of implementation of the AI Program on Buffalo in the
Cordillera Administrative Region as perceived by the AI Technicians and
farmers?
2. What are the perceived factors affecting the implementation of the AI
Program on Buffalo?
3. What are the perceived advantages and benefits felt by AI Technicians
and farmers from using the Artificial Insemination?
4. What are the problems encountered in the implementation of the AI
Program on Buffalo?
Hypotheses of the Study
The researcher was guided by the following hypothesis:
1. There are significant differences on the extent of implementation of the
AI program on Buffalo in CAR as perceived by the AI Technicians and farmers.
2. There are significant differences on the factors affecting the
implementation of the AI Program on Buffalo in CAR as perceived by the AI
Technicians and farmers.
3. There are significant differences on the awareness of farmers on the
importance and benefits that they could derive from the Artificial Insemination
Program.
4. There are significant differences on the problems encountered by the AI
Technicians and farmers in the implementation of the AI Program.
METHODOLOGY
This section presents the research design, population and locale of the study,
data collection instruments, data collection procedures and treatment of data.
Research Design
The study used statistical computations to determine the factors and the
extent of implementation of the Artificial Insemination Program in the Cordillera
Administrative Region. Both the quantitative and qualitative approach was used
to help the researcher to look at any suggestions in the sustainable implementation
of the program.
Locale and Population of the Study
The study was conducted in the five (5) provinces (Abra, Apayao, Benguet,
Ifugao and Kalinga) of the Cordillera Administrative Region (Fig.2). There were
2 groups of respondents in the study. The first group consisted of 26 trained AI
Technicians from: Abra (4), Apayao (4), Benguet (6), Ifugao (6), Kalinga (2) and
DA-CAR (4). The second group comprised of 200 buffalo raisers from top three
municipalities in each provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao and Kalinga.
Said farmers were beneficiaries of the AI program and had their animals (buffalo)
inseminated from year 2007-2009. (GMA-LP UNAIP Report 2007-2009).
Flora
Luna
Pudtol
Sta. Marcela
Bangued
Lagangilang
San Juan
Tabuk City
Bokod
La Trinidad
Lagawe
Tuba
Lamut
Tublay
A.Lista
Baguio City
Figure 2. Map of the study area, Cordillera Administrative Region
In Mountain Province, there were only few beneficiaries due to lack of trained AI
Technicians. The breakdown of respondents in each province is shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Distribution of respondents by province by municipality
NUMBER
PROVINCE MUNICIPALITY AI Technicians Farmers
%
%
Abra (PVO)
4 15.0
Bangued
11
Lagangilang
10
San Juan
10
31 15.5
Apayao
(PVO) 1
Flora
1
18
Luna
-
12
Pudtol
1
-
Sta. Marcela
1
19
4 15.0
49
24.5
Baguio (DA-RFU-CAR)
4
Benguet (PVO)
2
Bokod
1
-
La Trinidad
1
14
Tuba
1
13
Tublay
1
9
10 38.46 36 18.0
Ifugao
(PVO)
1
Lamut
2
20
Lagawe
1
9
Alfonsolista
2
25
6 23.07 54 27.0
Kalinga (PVO)
Tabuk
2 7.69 30 15.0
_________________________________________________________________
Total
26
200
Source: GMA-LP-UNAIP, 2007-2009
Socio Demographic Profile of the
Artificial Insemination Technicians
Table 2 shows the socio-demographic profile of the AI Technicians.
Sex, age and marital status. There were more male respondents (96.2%) than
females (Table 2). Majority, 50% of the respondents were within the 31 to 50
years of age; the next age group which accounted for 26.9 % belonged to the 50
years old and above; and the least group, 23.1% belonged to 30 years old and
below. Most of them were married, 84.6% while the other two are single and
widow, 7.7%, respectively.
Educational attainment. Twenty one (21) or 80.8% of the AI technicians are
holder of Bachelor’s Degree and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine; two (7.7%)
finished a certificate and diploma course, respectively while only one or 3.8% is a
high school graduate.
Field of specialization. Among the AI Technicians, 50% have specialized in
animal science/animal husbandry; veterinary medicine, 7.7%;
agribusiness/agriculture, 23.1%; while 19.2% disclosed no specialization.
Position in government office. At least 30% of the AI Technicians were
agricultural technologist. The others are the Village Based Artificial Insemination
Technicians (VBAIT), 26.9% who do not hold any position in the government
because; they are volunteers assisting the AI technicians.
Table 2. Socio-demographic profile of AI Technicians/VBAITs
Particulars
Frequency Percentage
n= 26
%
a. Sex
Male
25
96.2
Female
1
3.8
b. Age
30 & below
6
23.1
31 – 50
13
50.0
51 & above
7
26.9
c. Marital Status
Single
2
7.7
Married
22
84.6
Widow
2
7.7
d. Educational Attainment
Certificate
2
7.7
Diploma
2
7.7
BS
21
80.8
High School
1
3.8
e. Field of Specialization
Animal Science/Husbandry
13
50.0
DVM
2
7.7
Agribusiness/Agriculture
6
23.1
None
5
19.2
f. Position in Government Office
Market Inspector
4
15.4
Center Chief
1
3.8
Agricultural Technologist
8
30.8
Sr. Agriculturist
3
11.5
Agricultural Technician
1
3.8
Job Order
2
7.7
None (VBAIT)
7
26.9
Table 2. continued…
Particulars
Frequency Percentage
n= 26
%
g. Current designation
Regional AI Coordinator (RAIC)
1
3.8
Provincial AI Coordinator (PAIC) 5
19.2
None
20
77.0
h. Length of Service
20 years up
4
15.4
10 – 20
10
38.5
5 – 10
6
23.1
1 – 4
6
23.1
i. VBAIT
Yes
6
23.1
No
20
76.9
j. Years as VBAIT
10 years up
0
0
5 – 9
1
3.8
1 – 4
5
19.3
Less than 1 year
20
76.9
Administrative designations. Majority of the AI technicians (77%) had no
administrative designation in the government office. Five (19.2%) of the
respondents were Provincial Artificial Insemination Coordinators (PAIC) and
only one (3.8%) respondent is the Regional Artificial Insemination Coordinator
(RAIC).
Length of service. Four (15.4%) of the AI Technicians have served the
government for 20 years and above; Six (23.1%) of them were in the service for
5-10 years and another 6 (23.1%) 1-4 years; Ten (38.5%) respondents have 10 –
20 years in the service. This result shows that most of the AI technicians have
been in the service for 10-20 years which implies that they had experiences in the
buffalo upgrading program.
Skills and Experiences of the
Artificial Insemination Technicians
Table 3 shows the skills training attended by the AI Technicians.
AI related trainings attended. Training is an important intervention being
conducted to equip agricultural technicians with the necessary skills and
knowledge (Pasalo, 2008). To respond to the requirement of the Buffalo
Upgrading Program, the Philippine Carabao Center conducted training activities
for technicians. There were 96.2% of the AI Technicians attended AI training
course; only 26.9% attended the semen processing. These findings shows that the
technicians involved in AI know the basic principles of insemination. Indeed,
technicians must be knowledgeable, well-trained and committed to serve as stated
by Mamuad et al., 2008. Some of the technicians (46.1%) attended trainings from
year 2006 to 2010. The rest attended as early in 1986-2005.
Number of years performing artificial insemination. Eight (30.7%) of the
technicians have been conducting AI for more than 5 years while the rest had
been performing AI for less than 5 years. This shows that a technician serving for
a long period of time is expected to possess better skills and can effectively
perform the task with efficiency.
Table 3. Training and experience of the AI technicians
Particulars
Frequency Percentage
n= 26
%
1. AI related training attended
AI training course
25
96.2
Semen processing
7
26.9
Embryo transfer
2
7.7
Pregnancy Diagnosis
1
3.8
2. Year attended
1986 – 1999
8
30.8
2000 – 2005
6
23.1
2006 – 2010
12
46.1
3. Number of years conducting AI
Less than 2 years
6
23.1
2 – 3
6
23.1
4 – 5
6
23.1
More than 5 years
8
30.7
* Multiple responses
Socio-demographic profile of farmers
Table 4 shows the profile of the farmer respondents who are beneficiaries of
the Artificial Insemination Program
Sex, age and marital status. There were more male respondents (96.5%)
than females (Table 4). Majority of the respondents were within the 40 to 49 years
of age, which accounted for 34%. The next age group which accounted for 33.0 %
belonged to 50-59 years old and the least group accounted for 7.5% belong to 29
years old and below. As to the marital status 186 or 93.0% of the farmers were
married, 12 or 6.0% were single and while 2 or 1.0% were widow/separated.
Table 4. Socio-demographic profile of the farmer respondents
PARTICULAR
n
%
a. Sex
Female
7
3.5
Male
193
96.5
b. Age
60
and
above
24
12.0
50
–
59
66
33.0
40
–
49
68
34.0
30
–
39
27
13.5
29 and below
15
7.5
c. Marital Status
Single
12
6.0
Married 186
93.0
Widow/separated
2
1.0
d. Educational Attainment
Elementary
46
23.0
High
School
97
48.5
College
57
28.5
e. Approximate family income per annum
More than 10,000 pesos
83
41.5
5,000 – 10,000 pesos
77
38.5
Below 5,000 pesos
40
20.0
f. Sources of income
Government employee
11
5.5
Farming/banana
plantations/laborers
173
86.5
Grocery store/business
4
2.0
Carpentry/construction work
4
2.0
Piggery
3
1.5
Barangay official
2
1.5
Pensioner
2
1.0
Tricycle driver
1
.5
Table 4. Continued…
a. Number of buffalo raised (heads)
1
-5
155
77.5
6
–
10
34
17.0
11 – 20
6
3.0
Above 20
5
2.5
b. Number of years in raising buffalo
1
–
5
47
23.5
6
–
10
50
25.0
11
–
20
61
30.5
Above
20
42
21.0
c. Uses of buffalo
Draft
184
92.0
Milk
5
2.5
Meat
106
53.0
Breeder/sale/production
8
4.0
*Multiple answers
Educational attainment. Most of the farmer respondents, 97 or 48.5%
finished high school; 57 or 28.5 % finished college, while 46 or 23.0% finished
elementary education.
Approximate family income per annum. Of the 200 respondents, 83 or
41.5% indicated an income of more than 10,000.00 per annum; 77 or 38.5% were
earning 5,000.00-10,000.00 while 40 or 20.0% indicated that their annual income
was below 5,000.00. Other sources of income were as follows: 173 or 86.5% were
engaged in farming, while 11 or 5.5% were government employees and others get
other income from business/grocery, carpentry, swine raising, pensioners and
barangay officials.
Number of buffaloes owned. Out of the 200 respondents, 77.5% owned
buffaloes ranging from 1-5 heads; 17.0% owned 6-10 heads; 3.0% owned 11-20
heads and only 2.5% owned more than 20 heads.
Number of years in raising buffaloes. Most (61 or 30.5%) of the respondents
had been raising buffaloes for 11-20 years; 50 respondents (25.0%) claimed to
have 6-10 years; other 47 respondents (23.5%) claimed to 1-5 years; and 42
(21.0%) with above 20 years’ experience in raising buffaloes.
Uses of buffaloes. Most of the farmers (92%) claimed that their Buffaloes
were mostly used for draft (plowing, hauling, transport), followed by used for
meat (carabeef), 53%; for breeder 4%; and only 2.5% said who used for milk.
When draft animals can no longer be useful for work, the farmers usually sold
them for carabeef in the market.
Data Collection Procedures
The DA-Livestock Program of the DA-RFU-CAR provided the list of AI
trained technicians/Village-Based AI Technicians and list of farmers with their
animals already inseminated from years 2007-2009. BAS-CAR provided the
inventory of buffalo population in the 5 provinces of the Cordillera. These data
served as the basis in determining the respondents from the provinces. The farmer
respondents were randomly selected from the list of farmers submitted to the
Livestock Sector. Said farmers had their animals that were artificially
inseminated.
Letters were sent to the Provincial/City Veterinarians and Municipal
Agriculturist asking permission to collect data and request for assistance from the
trained AI technicians in floating the questionnaires and collecting the result from
the farmer respondents.
Data Collection Instruments
A survey questionnaire was used to collect information comprising of
structured questions. Guided questions were also used to gather important and
relevant information. Secondary data were gathered from printed documents,
internet and books to supplement the data that were collected.
The survey form or questionnaires were pre-tested in the Province of Abra.
The questionnaires were revised according to the comments and responses of the
respondents. Irrelevant and not appropriate items were removed while some of the
questions were modified in such a way that the respondents could easily
understand and give their answers.
Treatment of Data
The data gathered were tabulated, summarized and analyzed using
appropriate statistical tools. Tables were used to present the data. The descriptive
statistics included the frequency distribution, weighted means and percentage.
One sample t-test was used to test hypothesis 1 and 2 specifically on the
attitudes factors affecting the implementation of AI Program, NGA & LGU
support, hypothesis 3 and 4 specifically on the benefits and problems encountered
in the implementation of AI Program as perceived by the AI Technicians.
Cochran’s Q test was used to test the factors affecting the implementation of
AI Program on Buffalo as perceived by the AI Technicians and farmers:
knowledge and skills and awareness of the AI Program (hypothesis 2).
Chi-square (X2) test was used to test the significant differences on the
problems encountered by farmers in the implementation of AI Program of
Buffaloes (hypothesis 4)
The values under the t-distribution served as basis for rejecting or accepting
the hypothesis. Thus, the alternative hypothesis is accepted if tc is lesser than 0.05
level of significance otherwise, the hypothesis is rejected.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Extent of Implementation of AI Program on Buffalo
as perceived by AI Technicians and Farmers
Table 5 presents the extent of implementation of the AI Program on buffalo
in CAR as perceived by the AI Technicians and farmer beneficiaries in
accordance to its program components.
Extent of Implementation of the Training
Component as Perceived by the AI Technicians
The Philippine Carabao Center, an attached agency of the Department of
Agriculture provided free trainings for AI technicians to equip them with the
necessary skills and knowledge. The topics included semen processing; embryo
transfer and pregnancy diagnosis. Other topics such as anatomy and physiology of
male and female buffalo, insertion, estrus synchronization, ovarian palpation, and
basic nutrition were also included.
The finding shows that the AI Technicians perceived that the training
component was moderately implemented. Some AI Technicians were not able to
attend all the said training components due to financial constraints by the LGUs
and viewed by their Local Chief Executives as less priority. Failure of some AI
Technicians to attend trainings would result to inadequate skills to perform their
job. This result corroborates the findings of Batugan (2000) which he stated that
AI Technicians were not fully confident because they feel that the necessary skills
Table 5. Extent of implementation perceived by AI technicians and farmers
AI TECHNICIANS
FARMERS
PROGRAM COMPONENT WEIGHTED DESCRIPTIVE
MEAN EQUIVALENT
(XW)
(DE)
XW DE
AI Technicians Trainings
2.04
MP
Farmer’s
Class 1.90
MP
Government
Subsidy:
National Government Agency
• AI paraphernalia
2.49
MP
2.00 MP
• Cash
Incentives 2.50
FI
Local Government Units
• Travelling
allowance
1.69
MP
• Manpower
resources
1.90
MP
1.67
MP
Monitoring
&
Evaluation:
• DA-RFU-CAR
1.88
MP
1.71 MP
• PVO
2.47 MP
2.22 MP
__________________________________________________________________
General Weighted Mean
2.13 MP
1.90 MP
tc = 13.718*
tc = 34.493*
prob
<0.01
prob<0.01
Xw
=
2.13
Xw
=
1.90
*Significant
*Significant
Legend: 2.50 – 3.00 Fully Implemented
(FI)
1.50 – 2.49 Moderately Implemented (M)
1.00 – 1.49 Poorly Implemented (PI)
they acquired through training were not fully sufficient to fully implement the AI
program. According to Battad (2001) as cited by Pasalo (2008) that training is
mainly with the acquisition or development of knowledge, skills, techniques and
attitudes; and is very useful in helping individuals develop their abilities.
Extent of Implementation of the Training Component
of AI Programs as Perceived by the Farmers
On the side of the farmer respondents, their training program was called
Farmer’s Class, which was conducted by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian
(OPVet), City Veterinarian Office (CVO) and Office of the Municipal
Agriculturist (OMAG). Result shows that the conduct of farmer’s class was
moderately implemented with a weighted mean of 1.90. The farmers claimed that
they gained additional knowledge specifically on the feeding management,
prevention and control of pest and diseases, environmental management and
animal reproduction. This finding conforms to the foremost reason of conducting
farmers class by Palengleng (2009) is learning and sharing of knowledge and
skills by farmers wherein their various views and experiences can complement
each other. Thus, mutual satisfaction was attained during the classes.
Extent of Implementation of the Government Subsidy
for AI Program as Perceived by the AI Technicians
To fully implement the AI program, the National Government Agency was
tasked to provide the AI paraphernalia, which includes: semen; liquid nitrogen
(LN2) tank; a kit containing: AI gun, insemination syringes, plastic shoulder
length gloves, paper towels, alcohol, and others. Cash incentives were also
provided. Finding shows that the provision of the AI paraphernalia was perceived
by the AI Technicians as moderately implemented with a weighted mean of 2.49
and the provision of cash incentives as fully implemented with a weighted mean
of 2.50. The Department of Agriculture provided regular monthly cash incentives
to all Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs). In addition, the Bureau of Animal
Industry, an attached bureau of the Department of Agriculture also provided cash
incentive amounting P100.00 to the AI Technicians for every calf drop/offspring
produced.
On the LGU counterpart to provide traveling allowances to their respective
Agricultural Technician, it was perceived to be moderately implemented with a
mean of 1.69. Due to financial incapability of some LGUs, traveling expenses
were not provided to the AI Technicians. Thus, they could hardly reach all the
intended beneficiaries.
Extent of Implementation of the Government Subsidy
for AI Program as Perceived by the Farmers
On the other hand, the government subsidy (NGA) specifically the provision
of AI paraphernalia was perceived by the farmers as moderately implemented
with a weighted mean of 2.00. An interview with Culhi (2011), Village Based
Technician of Baguio City mentioned that Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) was not
sufficient to cater to their respective coverage areas. He further added that only
the Philippine Carabao Center in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija who provided LN2.
Considering many buffaloes and cattle to be inseminated in CAR including
Regions 2 & 3, which caused the shortage of supply of LN2 hence, resulted to the
delayed transport of semen. These would explain why the implementation was
only moderately implemented.
The farmers perceived that manpower resources were moderately
implemented with a weighted mean of 1.67. Though some farmers recognized
that there were not enough AI Technicians to deliver the services to the remote
areas thus causing low calf drop performance. Similarly, the AI Technicians
viewed that provision of manpower resources was moderately implemented by the
LGUs with a weighted mean of 1.90. However, the technicians employed by the
LGUs were not only doing AI, but they are also performing other functions on the
regular programs of the Department of Agriculture. Further, according to the
Technicians, the program needs well-trained, proficient and committed
technicians to ensure very satisfactory performance. The finding corroborates to
what Ali (1997) had mentioned as cited by Palengleng (2009) that the constraints
in the low adoption of the national government programs are the lack of full and
continuous support from the local government units. The local government units
were mandated to bear the costs of promoting and monitoring the basic needs
program by providing travelling allowances to the Agricultural Technicians in
their respective areas of jurisdiction (AFMA of 1997).
Extent of Implementation of the Monitoring and
Evaluation as Perceived by the AI Technicians
The monitoring and evaluation is a vital mechanism to ensure the efficient
implementation and continuous refinement of the program to achieve its
objectives. This was designed to be a joint effort between Department of
Agriculture-CAR, Provincial Veterinary Office/City Veterinary Office and Office
of the Municipal Agriculturist. The results showed that monitoring and evaluation
of the program was moderately implemented by DA-RFU and PVOs as perceived
by the AI Technicians with a mean of 1.88 and 2.47 respectively. This may be
attributed to the wider coverage areas of the regional and province/city offices
that they cannot monitor all the remote areas coupled with financial constraints.
The finding corroborates with the statement of Batugan (2000) that the ineffective
conduct of monitoring and evaluation by implementers is due to insufficient
financial support.
Extent of Implementation of the Monitoring and
Evaluation as Perceived by the Farmers
Similarly, the farmers confirmed that monitoring and evaluation was
moderately implemented by DA-RFU and PVO with a mean of 1.71 and 2.22,
respectively. The farmers observed that the regional and provincial monitoring
team visited them not too often and rarely visit the remote places due to lack of
mobility and time of travel.
This corroborates with the findings of Tesoro (2002) that monitoring and
evaluation activities were just satisfactorily implemented due to lack of personnel,
budgetary limitations, bureaucratic procedures and attitudes of persons who were
directly or indirectly involved in the implementation of the programs.
Generally, results shows in Table 5 that the extent of implementation of the
program was moderate as perceived by the AI Technicians and farmers with a
weighted mean of 2.13 and 1.9, respectively. Statistically, t-test result shows that
there were significant differences on the responses in the extent of
implementation which means the alternative hypothesis is accepted.
Perceived Factors Affecting the Implementation of the
Artificial Insemination Program on Buffalo
The factors affecting the AI Program on Buffalo as perceived by AI
Technicians includes the following: (1) technical knowledge and skills of AI
Technicians in the conduct of AI; (2) attitudes of AI technicians; and (3) the
support from NGAs and LGUs. Likewise, the perceived factors by the farmers
includes: (1) their awareness and availment to the program; (2) technical
knowledge; and (3) their attitudes towards the program.
Perceived Factors by AI Technicians
Technical knowledge and skills in artificial insemination. As shown in Table
6, all the twenty six (26) AI Technicians confided that they have
Table 6. Knowledge and skills of AI Technicians in inseminating buffaloes
KNOWLEDGE and SKILL on
n
%
Inseminating
buffaloes 26
100
Equipment and facilities used in AI
26
100
Buffalo
synchronization
26
100
Best time to inseminate buffalo in heat
26 100
Practical way to thaw semen in the field
26
100
Thawing semen in the field
25
96.15
Semen
evaluation
14
53.8
Preservation and storage of processed semen in straw
16
61.5
Best storage/preserving semen
15
57.7
Best preserving temperature
16
61.5
Type of liquid nitrogen tank to store semen in straw
21
80.79
Capacity of field tank used during insemination
16
61.5
Maintaining liquid nitrogen tank
15
57.7
Qc = 110.746
prob = <0.01 *significant
appropriate knowledge in inseminating buffaloes; identification of equipment and
facilities used in AI (Figure 5); Buffalo synchronization; best time to inseminate
buffalo in heat and practical way to thaw semen in the field. These knowledge and
skills were acquired through training. This is an indication that they could
perform the task with efficiency (Figure 3). To accelerate the genetic make-up of
buffaloes, The AI Technicians must be knowledgeable, well-trained and
committed to serve so that they can effectively perform their jobs with efficiency
(Mamuad et al., 2008).
The results also show the inadequacies of knowledge by the AI Technicians
on the evaluation of semen; best storage/preservation of semen and maintenance
of the liquid nitrogen tank (LN2).
The findings supports the finding of Palengleng (2009) that AI technicians
need knowledge for new advanced technology to effectively and efficiently
deliver the needed services to the farmers and this can only be overwhelmingly
achieved through constant conduct of trainings. Tiraieyari (2009) also stated that
competent extension workers ensure the success of the extension services and
extension organization as well. The findings further corroborates to the statement
of Schwass et al., (1982) that to better accomplish their work satisfactorily, the
extension workers must have great skill and high level of technological expertise.
Statistical analysis shows that the varied responses are significantly different
from each other as shown in Cochran’s Q-test at 110.746. Hence, the hypothesis
that there are significant differences on the factors affecting the implementation of
the AI Program on Buffalo in CAR as perceived by the AI technicians is
accepted.
Attitudes of the AI Technicians towards the AI Program. The result shows
in Table 7 that the AI Technicians strongly agreed that they have confidence on
their knowledge and skills in the implementation of AI program with a weighted
mean of 3.50. The attitudes they agreed on are: willingness to accept suggestion,
3.20; satisfaction for their job, 3.15; supportive to clients, 3.20; they enjoyed the
Table 7. Attitudes of AI technicians towards AI program
WEIGHTED DESCRIPTIVE
ATTITUDES
MEAN EQUIVALENT
(XW) (DE)
__________________________________________________________________
Confidence on their knowledge & skills
3.50
SA
in the implementation of AI program
Willingness to accept suggestion
3.20
A
Satisfaction to the job
3.15
A
Supportive to clients
3.20
A
Enjoyment in AI implementation 3.30
A
Enthusiasm/passionate to the job 2.90
A
Tiresome doing the job
2.07
D
Good working relationship with supervisor 2.81 A
__________________________________________________________________
General Weighted Mean
3.02
A
tc = 13.160*
prob<0.01
Xw = 3.02
*significant
Legend: 3.50 – 4.00
Strongly Agree
(SA)
2.50 – 3.49
Agree
(A)
1.50 – 2.49
Disagree
(D)
1.00 – 1.49
Strongly Disagree (SD)
implementation of AI program, 3.30; they have passion for their job, 2.90; and
they have good working relationship with their supervisor, 2.81. However, the AI
technicians disagreed that their job is tiresome. Generally, the technicians at least
agreed to have positive attitudes towards the implementation of the AI Program.
The result implies that the farmers had positive attitudes which may have
contributed to the implementation of the AI Program.
The finding corroborates the finding of the study of Batugan (2000) and
Lapitan (1980) that the performance and advancement in the job is dependent on
the attitude toward it. People who have a negative attitude toward their work will
have a hard time advancing and making noticeable career advancements. On the
other hand, people who adopts positive attitude traits at work will find their jobs
to be enjoyable, rewarding and will enjoy all of the opportunities for
advancement. In her study, Tubaňa (2000) cited that technical men should
possessed good qualities that encourage farmers to trust them such as being
trustworthy, resourceful, dedicated and knowledgeable.
The result of the t-test with a probability of <0.01 which is very much lower
than 0.05, hence significant, means that the hypothesis, that there are significant
differences on the attitudes of AI Technicians toward the AI Program is accepted.
Support from the government. Table 8 presents the support from the NGA &
LGUs to the AI Program. Finding shows that the provision of personnel to assist
the LGU staff in the conduct of AI, provision of incentives, adequacy of AI
supplies and, conduct of trainings that were provided by the National Government
Agency were perceived by the AI Technicians as moderately provided. While the
provision of transportation/traveling allowances; conduct of field trips/lakbay aral
and program advocacy information were perceived by the AI Technicians as
poorly provided, giving an average mean of 1.53.
Table 8. Support from the government
LGU’S
NGA’S
SUPPORTS
XW DE
XW (DE)
Provision of personnel
1.81 MP
1.73
MP
Adequacy of AI supplies
2.02 MP
1.81
MP
Provision of incentives
1.31 PP
1.50
MP
Trainings for AI technicians
1.92 MP
1.77
MP
Transportation/travel allowance
1.64 MP
1.37
PP
Conduct of field trips/Lakbay Aral 1.35 PP
1.15
PP
Program advocacy information
1.78 MP
1.38
PP
__________________________________________________________________
General Weighted Mean
1.73 MP
1.53
MP
*significant
tc = 17.686*
tc = 20.226*
prob. <0.01
prob. . <0.01
Xw = 1.73
Xw = 1.53
Legend: 2.50 – 3.00 Fully Provided
(FP)
1.50 – 2.49
Moderately Provided (MP)
1.00 – 1.49
Poorly Provided (PP)
On the part of the Local Government Unit, findings show that all the support
except the provision of incentives and conduct of field trips/lakbay aral were
perceived by the AI Technicians as moderately provided with an average mean of
1.73. Provision of incentives was perceived poorly provided (1.31) because it’s
only the national government through the Department of Agriculture that provides
such. The Local Government Units are also mandated to provide incentives to
their technicians cover other expenses incurred in the field and to supplement the
incentive given by the Department of Agriculture. But most of their respective
LGUs cannot provide such due to insufficient budget or the program is a less
priority of their local executives as stated by the respondents.
Generally, the result of the study shows that the supports from the
government were moderately provided as perceived by the AI Technicians and
the farmer. This implies that when supports from both the national and local
government were not fully provided will cause the ineffective and inefficient
delivery of the AI services by the AI Technicians.
Basically, the implementation of the AI Program is a joint effort of the
national government and the LGUs. Sustained supports are crucial to fully
implement the AI program. The findings of the study of Pasalo (2008) support
the results of this study stating the importance of the supports from NGA and
LGU. When supports are fully provided to implementers and recipients, there is a
great influence in the success of any program introduced by the government. The
result also corroborates to what Werther et al., (1982) highlighted that a reward
system will attract, retain and motivate extension workers to holistically deliver
the needed services to farmers.
Statistically, the result of the t-test had a probability of <0.01 which is very
much lower than 0.05, hence it is significant, therefore, the hypothesis is
accepted.
Factors Affecting the AI Program as
Perceived by the farmers
Awareness and availment of the AI Program. Table 9 shows the awareness
and availment of the AI program by the farmers. Of the 200 farmer respondents
99.00% revealed that they were aware of the artificial insemination program and
the presence of the AI technicians in the locality, 90.5%. Furthermore, majority
of the farmer respondents availed of the consultations provided by the AI
Technicians, 87%; the basic AI services, 77.5%; and consultations provided by
other bureaus and practitioners, 76.0%.
This implies that awareness on the AI Program and visibility of the AI
Technicians have led to the availment of the services of the AI programs and
consultations provided by the AI Technicians as well as services from other
bureaus and practitioners. The findings corroborates to Pagtan (2006) mentioning
that the knowledge the community gained is through their awareness about the
community resources and their involvement and participation in all the activities
undertaken within the community such as attendance to meetings, consultations
and farmers’ classes.
Generally, results show that farmers have varied perception on the awareness
of the AI Program that affected its implementation as indicated in Cochran’s Q-
test of 80.556. With a probability of <0.01, which shows significance difference
thus, the hypothesis is accepted.
Table 9. Awareness and availment of the AI Program by farmer respondents
PARTICULAR
n %
Aware on the:
AI Program of the government
198
99.0
Presence of AI technicians in the locality
181
90.5
Availed of the:
Consultation provided
by
technicians
174
87.0
AI services
155
77.5
Consultations provided by other bureau
& practitioners
152
76.0
Qc = 80.556*
prob. = <0.01
*significant
Technical knowledge and skills factor. Farmers must be equipped with the
necessary knowledge and skills on feeding management; environmental
management and animal reproduction. This can only be attained through
participation to farmers’ classes conducted by the PVO/CVO, OMAG and even
from the staff of the Livestock Sector of the Department of Agriculture. The skills
that were assessed were the following: feeding management, environmental
management and animal reproduction.
One of the technical factors that were considered is the farmers’ knowledge
and skills on feeding management of buffaloes. As shown in Table 10, majority of
the farmers, 60% have a general knowledge on feeding practices of buffaloes.
Most of the farmers were knowledgeable and skilled on: the manner of feeding
buffalo, 82.5%; feeding colostrum to newly born calf, 86.5%; forage crops, 73.5%
and, farm by-products, 73%. However, only a few of the farmers have adequate
Table 10. Knowledge and skills on feeding management by farmers
KNOWLEDGE/SKILL
n
%
General knowledge on feeding practices
120
60.0
Adaption of feeding practices for animals
88
44.0
Feeding
concentrate
mix
52
26.0
Farm-by
products
146
73.0
Forage
crops
147
73.5
Manner
of
feeding
buffalo
165
82.5
Feeding colostrum to newly born calf
173
86.5
1/some respondents failed to supply answers to some variables
Qc = 514.321*
prob. = <0.01
*significant
knowledge on the feeding of concentration mix, 26%, hence, adaption of the
feeding practices was low, 44%. The knowledge and skills that most the farmers
have, could have been gained from the trainings or farmers’ class that they have
attended and their experiences in raising buffaloes as indicated in their profile.
However, the results show that they have little knowledge on the feeding of
concentration mix. This could be attributed to their claim that they had no
adequate training on nutrition and formulation of a balanced ration. This result
affirms the statement of the Food and Fertilizer Technology Center (FFTC), 2010
that the development of local livestock industry is dependent on the production of
good quality forages and adaption of food feeding practices.
Statistical analysis show that farmers have varied perception on the technical
knowledge and skills on feeding management as indicated by the computed Q-
value of 514.321 with a probability of <0.01, hence the hypothesis that there are
significant differences on the factors affecting the AI implementation perceived
by the farmers, accepted.
The knowledge of the farmers on the environmental management of
buffaloes is another factor that was considered in this study that can affect the
implementation of the AI Program. Table 11 shows that 94% of the farmer
respondents claimed that they have general knowledge on the environmental
management of buffaloes. Most of the farmers claimed to have knowledge and
skills on: the management of high temperature 97%; bathing buffaloes, 76%;
animal illness, 96%; other stress signs observed, 97.5%; control and treatment of
diseases, 92%; and prevention to be used, 93%. Result shows that the farmers are
very much knowledgeable on how to manage the environment of their buffaloes.
This implies that they are capable of or raising buffaloes under a well-
managed environment. It also shows that the farmers are knowledgeable on how
to control and prevent illness of their animals. The findings corroborates to the
statement of Moe (2000) that knowledge and skills make the difference in how an
individual performs and also makes the difference in how well projects are to be
implemented. Further, the findings also corroborate to the findings of Jamsawat
(1998) that farmers should be provided with necessary trainings and farmers’
classes. They realized that they needed the know how to provide their animals the
technical assistance during the absence of a veterinarian.
Table 11. Knowledge and skills on environmental management by farmers
KNOWLDEGE AND SKILL
n
%
General knowledge on environmental mgt.
188
94.0
High temperature
195
97.0
Bathing
buffalo 152
76.0
Animal
illness
192
96.0
Signs on illness observed
195
97.5
Control
and
treatment
of
diseases
184
92.0
Prevention
used 186
93.0
Qc = 118.916*
prob. = <0.01
*significant
Statistically, the Cochran’s Q-test indicates a significant difference on the
responses of the farmers which means that the alternative hypothesis is accepted.
Table 12 shows the factor on animal reproduction that affected the
implementation of AI on Buffaloes. Results indicated that (81.0%) of the farmers
has knowledge on the puberty age of buffalo. They cited that the breeding age of
buffalo is two years old. According to Cruz (2000), buffalo shows the sign of in
heat every 21 days and last for about 5 to 36 hours. Findings show that most the
respondent farmers are familiar when does heat period of the buffaloes occur,
(94.5%) and the signs of in heat buffalo (95%).. They said that the common signs
observed were: mounting other animals; copious vaginal discharge; swollen
vulva; animals remain stand still when mounted by other animals and very
restless. Producing disturbing sound and frequent urination are secondary signs.
Table 12. Technical knowledge on animal reproduction by farmers
KNOWLEDGE/SKILL
n
%
Age of puberty of buffalo
162
81.0
Heat
period
observation
189
94.5
Signs of in heat buffalo
190
95.0
Recognizing
pregnant
buffalo
174
87.0
Signs
of
pregnant
buffalo
191
95.5
Recognizing
giving
birth
167
83.5
Signs
of
giving
birth
167
83.5
Qc = 79.957*
prob. = <0.01
*significant
Majority (87.0%) of the farmers claimed that they can recognize well a
pregnant have knowledge on the signs of a pregnant buffalo (95.5%). According
to them, the most common signs are enlargement of the abdomen, no estrus cycle
for several months and enlargement of the teats. Among others are enlargement of
the udder and heavier in weight.
The gestation period of buffaloes is average 310 days. Most of the
respondents (83.5%) claimed that they know how to recognize a buffalo who is
about to give birth. According to them, the many signs of near parturition that
they observed were as follows: udder contains milk, swollen vulva, and frequent
vaginal secretion. Others were restlessness, frequent urination, mucus and water
discharge from the vulva. Accordingly, the animal tends to isolate herself from
the heard and can be recognized through the number of months. The farmers
further mentioned the importance of close monitoring their animals when
initiating to show signs of both estrus and parturition. The findings conform to the
statements of Batugan (2000) and Jamsawat (1998) that because farmers typically
are in close contact with their animals, and will likely be the first to notice signs
of breeding and reproduction, they have the crucial role in triggering
investigations. Consequently, it is important that they be knowledgeable about all
these concerns. By maintaining familiarity with the signs and symptoms and
knowing when and whom to call for help, farmers can speed detection of and
response to occurrences’.
The statistical analysis shows that farmers have varied perception on the
technical knowledge on animal reproduction affecting AI implementation as
indicated by the computed Q-value of 79.957 with a probability of <0.01, that the
hypothesis is accepted.
Attitudes of the farmers towards the AI Program
Table 13 shows the farmers’ attitudes identified by farmers that affected the
implementation of AI Program on Buffalo, which they agreed on were;
confidence on the objectives of the project, 3.11; courageous in asking questions,
3.05; satisfaction of the program, 3.0; good working relationship which the AI
Technicians, 2.92; and good working relationship with other animal raisers, 2.88.
Generally, the farmers agreed to have positive attitudes towards the
implementation of the AI program with a general weighted mean of 2.97. The
result implies that the farmers showed their interest in the AI program as they
Table 13. Farmers’ attitudes towards AI Program
WEIGHTED DESCRIPTIVE
ATTITUDES
MEAN EQUIVALENT
(XW)
(DE)
__________________________________________________________________
Confidence in the objectives of the program 3.11
A
Courageous asking questions
3.05
A
Satisfaction to the program 3.00
A
Good working relationship with AI Technicians 2.92 A
Good working relationship with other animal raisers 2.88 A
_________________________________________________________________
General Weighted Mean
2.97 A
tc = 28.125
prob. = <0.01
Xw = 2.81
*significant
Legend: 3.50 – 4.00
Strongly Agree
(SA)
2.50 – 3.49
Agree
(A)
1.50 – 2.49
Disagree
(D)
1.00 – 1.49 Strongly Disagree (SD)
have confidence that their animals can be upgraded. These was manifested with
their courage in asking questions or consulting their AI Technicians and
establishing a good working relationship with other animal raisers in their area,
that eventually led to their satisfaction on the program. Satisfaction on the
program shows that they appreciated the effects of artificial insemination as a way
of upgrading their animals.
This finding supports the statement of Tubana (2000) that good qualities of
technical men could encourage the farmers to trust on them and ensure that the
thrust of the government could be delivered effectively and efficiently to the
intended beneficiaries. The result of the t-test with a probability of <0.01 which is
very much lower than 0.05, hence significant, which means that the hypothesis is
accepted.
Advantages/Benefits from using the
Artificial Insemination Program
Table 14 shows the three major expected benefits acquired from using the AI
program as agreed on by the AI technicians and farmers: high income/production;
more convenient/suitable in semen handling & more manageable behavior of
animals.
Advantages/Benefits of the AI Program
as Perceived by the AI Technicians
The result of the survey shows that the AI Technicians were amenable on the
benefits that AI Program with a general weighted mean of 2.91. They have agreed
on that offspring of buffaloes produced through AI had increased the farmer’s
income and productivity with a weighted mean of 3.17. According to Limson
(2009) the Unified National Artificial Insemination Program (UNAIP)
Coordinator of DA-BAI, buffaloes produced through Artificial Insemination are
20 to 50 kilos heavier than those produced through the traditional method or
natural breeding. He further elaborated that calf drop through AI grows 40 percent
faster and can calve at three years of age than a natural breeding born calf drop
(Figure 4).
Table 14. Advantages/benefits from using the AI Program
AI TECHNICIANS FARMERS
ADVANTAGES/BENEFITS XW DE XW DE
Higher Income/production
3.17 S
3.19
S
More convenient to handle the semen 2.96 S
2.96
S
More manageable behavior
of animals 2.26 D
2.84
S
__________________________________________________________________
General Weighted Mean
2.91 S
3.06
S
tc = 9.322 tc = 22.925
Xw = 2.91 Xw = 3.06
prob =<0.01 .
prob=<0.01
*significant *significant
Legend: 3.50 – 4.00
Strongly Agree (SA)
2.50 – 3.49
Agree
(A)
1.50 – 2.49
Disagree
(D)
1.00 – 1.49
Strongly Disagree (SD)
AI Technicians also agreed with the statement that AI technique is more
convenient to handle with a weighted mean of 2.96. This is because the AI
Technicians will only carry the semen stored inside the Liquid Nitrogen Tank
(LN2) to the areas where they perform the insemination while in natural breeding
they have to bring the bull to the insemination areas which is more difficult. The
finding corroborates with the statement of Cruz (2009), PCC Executive Director
that Artificial Insemination technique is convenient to handle and easy to access
or ready available. Semen stored in LN2 tank is easily transported to longer
distances thus, minimizing the transport of a bull to do natural breeding.
On the other hand, AI Technicians disagreed that offspring produced through
AI possessed manageable behaviors with a weighted mean of 2.26. They have
observed that calf drops produced from artificially inseminated buffalo are
difficult to feed, tame and not industrious to do agricultural activities in the field.
However, according to Mr. Pagadut (2008), DA-RFU Artificial Insemination
Coordinator (RAIC), the behavior of the animals is dependent on the kind of
breed where semen was collected. He further mentioned that calf drops of
Bulgarian Buffaloes had possessed adverse behavioral characteristics such as
difficult to feed, difficult to tame and not industrious to do the activities in the
farm. This is the reason why the Philippine Carabao Center had stopped the
distribution of semen of this breed to AI technicians; and now, they are providing
more semen of the Indian Buffalo which possesses a more manageable behavior
and is preferred by farmer respondents. However, AI technicians are still
mandated to perform insemination using the Bulgarian Buffalo semen mainly for
milk purposes.
Statistically, the result of the t-test had a probability of <0.01 which is very
much lower than 0.05, which means that the perceived benefits from using the
AI Program is significant, hence, the hypothesis is accepted.
Advantages/Benefits of AI Program as
Perceived by the Farmers
The farmers generally agreed on the stated benefits that AI Program could
provide with a general weighted mean of 3.06. They agreed that offspring
produced through AI had increased their income and productivity. In an interview
done by the researcher with Mr. Sotero Domingo in 2010 stated that his income
increased when selling a three (3) years old offspring produced through AI than
selling same age produced from natural breeding. The result is in support to the
findings of Jamsawat (1998) that calves born through AI from proven sire was
sure to grow faster and were expected to produce good quality meat. The quality
of meat of improved buffaloes demanded a higher price. He further mentioned
that a native buffalo weighed 200 kg at mature weight while improved buffalo
weighed 300 kg at mature weight showing 50% more in weight. This is a very
convincing indication that AI Program can increase farmers’ income and
productivity guided with good management practices such as feeding, health care
and breeding practices.
Similarly, the farmers have agreed with the statement that AI is more
convenient to handle with a weighted mean of 2.96. Since, semen was collected
from bulls bearing desirable traits and exhibiting good health condition, animal
health is rest assured. It is also very important that all breeding bulls are evaluated
for their suitability in breeding operation. Convenience in handling semen from a
bull can be easily transported to longer distances without being hindered by
geographical boundaries. Liquid nitrogen (LN2) tanks preserved and stored semen
for insemination thus, minimizing the transport of a bull to do natural breeding. A
farmer can have access to relatively inexpensive variety of bulls without having to
purchase the bulls themselves. According to Cruz (2009), Artificial Insemination
is convenient to handle and easy to access or ready available.
In an interview by the researcher with Mr. Benedict Pagadut (2008), he
mentioned that appropriate timing of AI is assured. In addition, Limson (2009)
mentioned that handling and hygiene of semen is assured when highly technical
individuals are equipped with suitable trainings related to the program can
establish and manage Semen Processing Laboratory (Mamuad et al., 2008).
The farmers agreed that calf drop is more manageable with a weighted mean
of 2.84. Interviews with various farmers claimed that taming the offspring to
adapt to existing environment and utilizing them in doing agricultural activities
were not difficult. When subjected to statistical test, the result of the t-test had a
probability of <0.01 which is very much lower than 0.05, which means that the
perceived benefits from using the AI Program is significant, hence, the
hypothesis is accepted.
Problems Encountered in the Implementation
of the Artificial Insemination
Program on Buffalo
Problems Encountered by the
AI Technicians
Table 15 presents the problems encountered by AI technicians in the
implementation of the Artificial Insemination Program on Buffalo. The problems
encountered during the implementation of the AI program as shown in Table 19
were: negative attitudes of the farmers, lack of AI technicians, farms have no
access roads, inadequate dissemination to farmers and insufficient program
support. These problems were rated by the AI Technicians as moderately serious
with a general weighted mean of 2.06.
The negative attitude of farmers towards the AI program is moderately
serious as perceived by the AI technicians with a mean of 2.22. This finding
indicates that some farmers seem not to believe or are not interested on the
artificial insemination. This may be attributed to the lack of confidence of the
farmer on the technology. Moreover, the farmers do not find time in reporting to
the AI technicians when their animal is in heat, and it is inconvenient for them to
bring their animals to the pooling place for artificial insemination. This finding,
affirms the statement of Jamsawat (1998) that farmers’ lack of confidence and
faith as to the viability of the technology due to low conception rate thus, makes
them refuse to have their animals inseminated.
The AI technicians felt that their number is not sufficient to cover all their
assigned service area, which they rated as moderately serious with a mean rating
of 2.15. This implies that the AI technicians cannot fully deliver that AI services
to their customers in their assigned areas for the reason that they have other work
assignments or mandates, which is to do services for other livestock under the
various programs of the Department of Agriculture.
Table 15. Problems encountered by AI technicians
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
XW
DE
Negative attitude of farmers
2.22
MS
Lack of AI Technicians
2.15
MS
No accessible roads to the farm
2.08
MS
Lack of info dissemination to farmers
2.04
MS
Insufficient program support by LGU
1.90
MS
__________________________________________________________________
General Weighted Mean
2.06
MS
tc = 12.126* prob<0.01 Xw = 2.06
*significant
Legend: 2.50 – 3.00
Highly serious
(HS)
1.50 – 2.49
Moderately serious (MS)
1.00 – 1.49
Not serious
(LS)
In most farm areas, there is no access road, this is considered by the AI
technicians as a moderately serious problem, with a mean rating 2.08.
Transportation is very essential in the delivery of efficient service to its client in
due time. The technicians can only service limited number of clients because they
spend most of their time walking to and from their work station. In like manner,
the farmers have a difficulty of reporting to the technicians when their animals
exhibit estrus/heat symptoms.
Similarly, the AI technicians felt that there is insufficient information
dissemination of AI technologies to the farmers, with a mean rating of 2.04. This
may be caused by the above mentioned problems that the AI technicians can
hardly reach all the intended beneficiaries of the AI program due to distance. On
the other hand, insufficient information can cause negative attitudes of the farmers
because they are not fully aware of the benefits or advantages of the AI
technology.
Insufficient support for the AI program was identified by the AI technicians
as a problem with a mean rating of 1.90. The AI technicians claimed that the
national government lacks support for field trips/lakbay aral to other areas to see
the success and failures of other AI program. This implies that the AI technicians
were not given enough chance to be motivated or inspired by visiting other areas
that were successful in implementing similar program. Other support system that
the AI technicians claimed as insufficient is the provision of cash incentives by
their local executives. Statistically, the result of the t-test had a probability of
<0.01 which is very much lower than 0.05, hence it is significant, thus the
alternative hypothesis is accepted.
Problems Encountered by the Farmers
Likewise, the farmers have encountered several problems during the
implementation of the AI program on buffaloes as presented in Table 16.
The common problem identified by the farmers (25%) is lack of AI
technicians. This affirms the claims of the AI technicians that they are lacking in
number. Accordingly, many buffaloes were ready for insemination but there were
no sufficient AI technicians to perform the insemination. This implies that the
intended beneficiaries of artificial insemination were not fully served by the AI
technicians. This finding affirms that statement of the technicians that they are not
only mandated to do artificial insemination but they also service other livestock
concerns of their area of responsibility. Seemingly, LGUs cannot hire additional
technicians due to financial incapability.
Dystocia or difficulty in giving birth of AI calves was also encountered by
the farmers (16%) This happens when native breeds are inseminated with semen
from purebred bulls causing oversized and heavy in weight offspring.
The farmers (13.5%) themselves admitted that they have negative attitude towards
AI program. They claimed that they are not fully confident about the AI
technology that not everybody was convinced on the advantages and benefits of
the program. Some also claimed that they don’t have time to confine their animals
for insemination activities. This implies that some farmers would still prefer the
natural breeding since most of their animals is for draft purposes and probably
they are contented with the performance of their animals.
Insufficient support for the AI program was identified by 26% of the
farmers. This was perceived by the farmers as a factor that causes inadequate
supply of semen and unavailability of AI technicians when they are needed.
Added to this factor is the absence of access roads to the farms as felt by 25% of
the respondent farmers, which is similarly felt by the AI technicians. This shows
that there are no means of transportation to reach most farms in the region that
Table 16. Problems encountered by the farmers
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
n
%
Lack
of
AI
technicians 50
25.0
Dystocia
33
16.5
Negative attitude of animal raisers
27
13.5
Insufficient
program
support
26
13.0
Not
accessible
road
25
12.5
Lack of info dissemination
17
8.5
Low
conception
rate
12
6.0
Poor monitoring & follow-up of
inseminated animals
10
5.0
X2c = 21.78*
prob. = <0.01
*significant
which hampers the delivery of services on time especially when the animal is in
heat.
There were few farmers (8.5%) who still claim that there was inadequate
information dissemination regarding the program. This means that not all farmers
have gained enough knowledge and skills on artificial insemination techniques.
This may be due to conflict of schedule with the farmer that they were not able to
attend the farmer’s class or other factors that where earlier identified.
Only 6% of the farmers claimed that there was a low conception rate of
artificially inseminated buffaloes, this means that the AI technology is not 100%
sure of conception rate. This may be accounted to the handling and skills of the
technician performing the AI.
Poor monitoring and follow-up of inseminated animals was also mentioned
by 5% of the respondents. These respondents claimed that their animals were
poorly monitored by the AI technicians assigned in their area. This could be
attributed to the earlier mentioned problems that limit the services of the AI
technicians, which includes absence of access roads, lack of manpower, and lack
of coordination between the AI technicians and farmers.
Statistically, result shows that the farmers have diverse perception on the
problems as indicated in the Chi-square test of 21.78 with a probability of <0.01,
which means that there is a significant difference on the perceived problems by
the farmers that affect the implementation of the AI program. Thus, the
hypothesis is accepted.
AI Technician performing Pregnancy Diagnosis
AI Technician performing artificial insemination
Figure 3. AI Technicians performing pregnancy diagnosis
and artificial insemination
One year old Calf drop
through natural breeding
One year old Calf drop
produced through AI
Figure 4. Calf drops produced through natural breeding
and artificial insemination
AI Paraphernalia
Liquid Nitrogen Tank (LN2)
Figure 5. AI Paraphernalia
Summary
The salient findings of the study are the following:
1. The extent of implementation of the different components of the Artificial
Insemination Program of Buffalo in CAR were all moderately implemented as
perceived by both the AI technicians and farmer respondents. The project
components were: training of AI technicians which provided them knowledge and
skills in implementing the program; the farmer’s classes that were attended by the
farmers to help them understand and accept the AI technology; the government
subsidy from the national and local government unit that provided the
paraphernalia, cash incentives and travel allowances that were used in the
implementation of the AI program, and the monitoring and evaluation system that
were done by the DA-CAR and Provincial/City Veterinary Offices and the
Municipal Agricultural Offices to ascertain the effective and efficient
implementation of the program.
2. The factors that affected the implementation of the program as perceived
by the AI Technicians were: knowledge and skills on artificial insemination,
which made them effectively and efficiently deliver the needed services to the
farmers, positive attitudes of AI Technicians towards the program which gave
them more enthusiasm in implementing the program, support from the National
and their respective LGUs in a form of needed materials, provision of trainings,
travel expenses were used in the implementation of the program.
On the other hand, the factors perceived by the farmers that have affected
the implementation of the program were: their awareness of the program, which
motivated them to attend farmers’ classes and avail of the services of the
program; their technical knowledge and skills in managing their buffaloes made
them realize the benefits of the program, and their positive attitudes towards the
program made them receptive of the services of the A program.
3. The advantages and benefits of using the AI Program were strongly
agreed by both the AI Technicians and farmers that it is more convenient to
handle the semen than the bull in breeding their buffalo and the farmers had
higher income, due to the better quality of the offspring. Further, the farmers
strongly confirmed that the offspring of buffaloes through artificial insemination
had more manageable behavior, though the AI Technicians have disagreed on
this.
4. The problems encountered by the AI Technicians during the
implementation of the program were all moderately serious, these are: negative
attitudes of the farmers, as shown by their lack of interest in the program; lack of
AI Technicians to service all the demands of farmers in the far flung areas; no
accessible roads to the farm, which limits the services of technicians to the
farmers; lack of information dissemination to farmers due to limited access and
IEC materials; and insufficient program support by the LGUs due to budgetary
constraints and lack of interest of local chief executives on the AI Program. On
the other hand, the problems that were identified by most of the farmers were:
lack of AI Technicians, dystocia or difficulty of giving birth of AI calves due to
oversized and overweight offspring; negative attitudes of animal raisers;
insufficient program support and inaccessible roads to the farms.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusions
Based on the findings the following conclusions are drawn:
1. Generally, the extent of implementation of the Artificial Insemination
Program was moderately implemented with all components to wit, training of AI
technicians, farmer’s classes, government subsidy from the national and LGUs,
and monitoring and evaluation by the DA-CAR, PVOs/CVO and MAOs.
2. Knowledge and skill on artificial insemination technologies and positive
attitudes of the AI Technicians and farmers are important factors that affect the
implementation of the program. Awareness of the program by the intended
beneficiaries equally affects its implementation because the farmers were
motivated to participate. The implementation of the AI program could not have
been started without the presence of government support.
3. Artificial insemination is more advantageous to the farmers and
technicians over the natural breeding because semen is more convenient for them
to handle than bringing the bull to the animals for breeding considering the terrain
of the Cordillera Region. The offspring of artificial insemination have better
quality and manageable behavior due to upgraded breeds, which provides the
farmers more benefits of higher income.
4.The problems identified by the AI technicians and farmers which were
perceived as moderately serious are: negative attitudes of the farmers, lack of AI
technicians, inadequate accessible roads to the farms, lack of information
dissemination, insufficient support from the LGUs, dystocia or difficulty of giving
birth due to oversized and overweight offspring. It may be inferred that the
implementation of the AI program is difficult because these problems are threats
to the sustainability of the program.
Recommendations
The following recommendations are formulated based on the findings and
conclusions:
1. Artificial Insemination Program need to be enhanced. The provision of
training for AI Technicians and farmers classes, government supports and more
intensive monitoring and evaluation should always go together in order the full
implementation of the program and attain its objective.
2. Trainings should be provided for the devolved LGU technicians to increase
their knowledge and skills on the technology for them to effectively and
efficiently deliver the needed services to the farmers.
3. The LGUs should support the AI Technicians by providing them with
additional incentives, transportation and incidental expenses. LGUs should also
hire additional and competent Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs).
4. Semen and liquid nitrogen and other AI paraphernalia should always be
made available by the DA-PCC and DA-BAI.
5. The identified problems should be addressed in order to ensure the
sustainability of the program. These problems are threats to the implementation of
the program.
6. To come up with a better assessment of project/programs quantifiable
baseline data should be established before a new project is implemented in order
to determine the changes brought about by each project.
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APPENDIX A
Sample Letter to the Respondents
Republic of the Philippines
Benguet State University
GRADUATE SCHOOL
La Trinidad, Benguet
April 10, 2010
Provincial Veterinarian/Municipal Agriculturist
Municipality of ______________ Province of _____________
Dear Ma’am/Sir:
The undersigned is currently working in a research entitled “ASSESSMENT OF
THE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION PROGRAM ON BUFFALO IN THE
CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION” as one of the requirements
for the degree Doctor of Philosophy at Benguet State University, La Trinidad,
Benguet.
I decided to conduct the research with anticipation that the results can contribute
in the improvement and development of upcoming activities of the Artificial
Insemination Program with mandate to improve and upgrade the existing native
breeds of Buffalo.
In this regard, I earnestly request your assistance through the AI Technicians to
accomplish the questionnaires and assist the identified farmers to also accomplish
the appropriate questionnaires. The data to be gathered will serve as vital inputs in
my study. Rest assured that your answers will be treated with utmost
confidentiality.
Respectfully yours,
(Sgd) ROSEMARIE B. TESORO
Student Researcher
APPENDIX B
Questionnaire for AI Technicians/VBAITs
Part I.
A. Socio-demographic profile
1. Name ________________
2. Address______________
3. Sex: ( ) Female
( ) Male
4. Age ( of last birthday)__________
5. Marital Status: ( ) Single
( ) Divorce
( ) Married
( ) Widow
6. Educational Attainment:
( ) Certificate
( ) MS
( ) Diploma ( ) Ph.D
( ) BS
( ) Others (specify) ______ .
7. Field of Specialization in degree: ______________
8. Position in the government office (if employed):_____________
Are you a Village Based AI Technician (VBAIT)? ( ) Yes ( ) No
9. For government employee, what is the current designation in office: as
coordinator
( ) RAIC
( ) GIP
( ) PAIC
( ) Others, specify
_________________________
10. Length of service in the government:
( ) 20 years up
( ) 1-4 years
( ) 10-20 years
( ) 5-10 years
Others, specify _____________
11. For Village Based AI Technicians: How many years as VBAIT?
( ) 10 years up
( ) 1-4 years
( ) 5-9 years
( ) Others (specify) ___________
B. AI Experiences:
1. AI related training attended:
( ) AI training course
( ) Embryo transfer
( ) Semen processing
( ) Others (specify) ________________
2. Year attended: ___________
3. Number of years you had been conducting Artificial Insemination: ______
years
Part II.
A. Extent of implementation of AI Program by AI Technicians. Please rate the
following using the scale.
3.0
Fully
Implemented
2.0
Moderately
Implemented
1.0
Poorly
Implemented
PROGRAM COMPONENT
HOW DO YOU FEEL?
3 2 1
AI Technicians Training
Government Subsidy
Non-Government Agency
• AI paraphernalia
• Cash incentives
Local Government Units
• Travelling allowance
• Manpower resources
Monitoring & Evaluation
• DA-RFU-CAR
• PVO
B. Factors affecting the Artificial Insemination Program on Buffalo:
I. Technical knowledge and skills in Artificial Insemination
Do you have appropriate knowledge in inseminating buffalo?
( ) Yes
( ) No
Do you have knowledge on the equipment and facilities used in AI?
( ) Yes ( ) No
Do you have knowledge on the practical way to thaw semen in the field?
( ) Yes
( ) No
Do you have knowledge on buffalo synchronization?
( ) Yes
( ) No
Do you have knowledge in thawing semen in the field? ( ) yes ( ) no
Do you have knowledge in semen evaluation? ( ) yes ( ) no
Do you have knowledge in the preservation and storage of processed
semen in straw? ( ) Yes ( ) No
Do you have knowledge to what are the best storage/preserving semen at
present? ( ) Yes
( ) No
Do you have knowledge to what is the best preserving temperature?
( ) yes ( ) no
Do you have knowledge on the types of liquid nitrogen tank used in storing
semen in straw? ( ) Yes ( ) No
Do you have knowledge to what capacity of field tank commonly used while
doing insemination on buffalo? ( ) yes ( ) no
Do you have knowledge in maintaining liquid nitrogen tank to maintain the
higher motility of sperm? ( ) Yes ( ) No
II. Attitudes of AI Technicians towards AI Program
Please read each statement below, check the appropriate number that you
think corresponds to your feeling.
4.0 - strongly agree
3.0 – agree
2.0 – disagree 1.0 – strongly agree
ATTITUDES
HOW DO YOU FEEL?
4 3 2 1
Confidence on the knowledge & skills in the
implementation of AI Program
Willingness to accept suggestion
Satisfaction to the job.
Supportive
to
clients
Enjoyment in AI implementation.
Enthusiasm/Passionate to the job.
Tiresome doing the job
Good working relationship with supervisor
III. National Government Agency (NGA’s) and Local Government Unit
(LGU’s) Support for AI Implementation
Please read each statement below, check the appropriate number that you
think corresponds to your feeling:
Fully provided (FP)
- 3.0
Moderately provided (MP)
-
2.0
Poorly provided (PP)
-
1.0
SUPPORTS LGUs
NGAs
4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1
Provision
of
personnel
Adequacy
of
AI
supplies
Provision
of
incentives
Trainings
for
AI
Technicians
Transportation/travel
allowance
Conduct
of
field
trips/lakbay
aral
Program
advocacy
information
Part IV. Advantages/benefits from using the AI Program:
Please read each statement below then mark (x) the appropriate number which
corresponds to your feeling. The equivalent as follows:
Strongly agree
3.50 - 4.00 Agree 2.59 – 3.49
Disagree 1.50- 2.49 strongly disagree 1.00 – 1.49
ADVANTAGES/BENEFITS
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT?
4
3 2
1
Higher
income/production
More convenient/suitable in semen handling
More manageable behavior of animals
Part V. Problems encountered by AI Technicians/VBAITs
Below are the problems encountered in the implementation of the Artificial
Insemination Program on Buffalo. Kindly rate the seriousness of these problems.
3.0 - Highly serious 2.0-Moderately serious 1.0-Not serious
HOW DO YOU FEEL
STATEMENTS
ABOUT?
3
2
1
Negative attitude of animal raisers
Lack of AI Technicians
Not accessible road going to the farm
Lack of info dissemination to farmers
Insufficient
program
support
APPENDIX C
Questionnaire for farmers
Part I.
A. Socio-demographic Profile
1. Name ________________
2. Address______________
3. Sex: ( ) Female ( ) Male
4. Age: __________
5. Marital Status: ( ) Single
( ) Divorce
( ) Married
( ) Widow
6. Educational Attainment:
( ) Elementary
( ) College
( ) High School ( ) Others (specify) ________
.
1. Approximate family income per annum:
( ) More than 10,000.00 pesos
( ) 5,000.00 – 10,000.00 pesos
( ) below 5, 000.00 pesos
2. Other source of income: (please identify)
_______________________________
3. Number of buffalo raised: ________ heads
4. Number of years raising buffalo. ________ years
5. Roles of buffaloes: ( ) draft
( ) milk
( ) meat
( ) Others, specify ______________
Part II. Extent of implementation of AI Program by farmers. Please rate the
following using the scale.
3.0 - Fully
Implemented
2.0 - Moderately
Implemented
1.0 - Poorly
Implemented
PROGRAM COMPONENT
HOW DO YOU FEEL?
3 2 1
Farmers Class
Government Subsidy:
National Government Agency
• AI paraphernalia
Local Government Units
• Manpower resources
Monitoring & Evaluation
• DA-RFU-CAR
• PVO
Part III. Factors affecting the AI Program on Buffalo.
1. Awareness and availment of the program
1. Have you heard of the Artificial Insemination Program? ( ) Yes ( ) No
2. Are there AI technicians in your locality? ( ) Yes ( ) No
3. Did you consult you technicians about your animals? ( ) Yes ( ) No
4. Have you requested technical assistance? ( ) Yes
( ) No
5. What other agency aside from your municipal technician you come in
contact for consultation?
( ) DA-RFU-CAR staff
( ) BAI staff ( ) PVO staff
( ) others, specify __________________________
2. Technical Knowledge and Skills Factors
a. Knowledge and skills on Feeding Management
1. Do you have knowledge about feeding practices? ( ) Yes ( ) No
2. Do you adopt any feeding practices for your animals? ( ) Yes ( ) No
3. Do you give concentrate mix to your animal? ( ) Yes ( ) No
4. Do you have knowledge on farm-by-products? ( ) Yes ( ) No)
5. Do you have knowledge of forage crops? ( ) Yes ( ) No
6. Do you have knowledge on how to feed your buffalo? ( ) Yes ( ) No
7. Do you have knowledge about colostrum feeding to newly born calf?
( ) Yes
( ) No
b. Knowledge and skills on environmental management
1. Do you have knowledge on environmental management affecting your
buffalo? ( ) Yes
( ) No
2. Do you have knowledge on the signs of high temperature?
( ) Yes ( ) No
3. Do you have knowledge to why you bath your buffalo?
( ) Yes
( ) No
4. Do you have knowledge in animal illness? ( ) Yes
( ) No
5. Do you have knowledge on the signs of illness that are observed
( ) Yes ( ) No
6. Do you have some knowledge in controlling or treatment of diseases?
( ) Yes
( ) No
7. Do you have knowledge on the prevention to be used? ( )Yes ( ) No
c. Knowledge and skills on Animal Reproduction
1. Do you have knowledge what is the age of puberty of buffalo?
( ) Yes
( ) No
2. Do you observed heat period? ( ) Yes ( ) No
3. Do you recognize in heat buffalo? ( ) Yes ( ) No
4. Do you recognize the frequency of buffalo in heat? ( ) Yes ( ) No
5. Do you recognize pregnant buffalo? ( ) Yes
( ) No
6. Do you recognize the signs of a pregnant buffalo ( ) Yes ( ) No
7. Can you recognize a buffalo going to give birth)? ( )Yes ( ) No
8. Do you know the signs of near parturition? ( )Yes ( ) No
3. Attitudes towards AI Program
Please read each statement below, check the appropriate number that you
think corresponds to your feeling.
4.0 - strongly agree
3.0 – agree
2.0 – disagree 1.0 – strongly agree
ITEMS
HOW DO YOU FEEL?
4 3 2 1
Confident to the program
Courageous
asking
question
Satisfaction
to
the
program
Knowledgeable to the AI program.
Good
working
relationship
Part IV. Advantages/benefits from using the AI Program:
Please read each statement below then mark (x) the appropriate number which
corresponds to your feeling. The equivalent as follows:
Strongly
agree
- 4.0
Disagree
- 2.0
Agree
- 3.0
Strongly
disagree
- 1.0
HOW DO YOU FEEL
ADVANTAGES/BENEFITS
ABOUT?
4
3
2
1
Higher
income/production
More convenient/suitable in semen handling
More manageable behavior of animals
Other benefits, (specify)
______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Part V. Problems encountered by farmers
Please enumerate problems you encountered in AI Program
1._______________________________________________________________
2._______________________________________________________________
3._______________________________________________________________
4._______________________________________________________________
5._______________________________________________________________
ACRONYM
AEWs
Agricultural Extension Workers
AI
Artificial Insemination
AIP
Artificial Insemination Program
BAI
Bureau of Animal Industry
DA
Department of Agriculture
GMA-LP Ginintuang
Masaganang Ani-Livestock Program
LGUs
Local Government Units
LN2
Liquid Nitrogen Tank
PAIC
Provincial Artificial Insemination Coordinator
PCC
Philippine Carabao Center
PVO
Provincial Veterinary Office
RAIC
Regional Artificial Insemination Coordinator
UNAIP
Unified National Artificial Insemination Program
VBAITs
Village Based Artificial Insemination Technicians
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
The author was born on the 9th of September in Barangay Pawa,
Lagangilang, Abra to Mr. Esmenio Blasé Tesoro and Mrs. Serenia Nisperos
Besas. She finished her elementary and high school education at Holy Cross
School, Lagangilang, Abra with honors in 1977 and 1981, respectively. She
finished her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Animal Husbandry and
minor in Agronomy in March 1985 at Abra State Institute of Sciences and
Technology and graduated honor student. Also finished her Master in Public
Administration on March 2002 at Benguet State University, La Trinidad Benguet
with her study “The Influence of Devolution in the Implementation of the
Agricultural Programs in Abra.”
After graduation in college, she was hired as sales manager by the ASIST
College Department Cooperative while waiting for a more stable and permanent
position in said institution. Unfortunately, for one and a half years she waited to
no avail so she decided to apply to another agency. She worked as a contracted
staff at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Lagangilang,
Abra for less than one year before deciding to apply at the Department of
Agriculture, a national agency with office address at Calaba, Bangued, Abra. She
was hired as Agricultural Technologist on August 1989 with the Municipality of
Baay-Licuan as her area of coverage. Her transfer to the Municipality of Tineg
was the effect of devolution caused by the varied perceptions of the local chief
executives relative to the local government code, which to them is a loaded gun
that could not yet prove a panacea for their organization to go autonomous.
Since the implementation of the local government code, the shortcomings,
discontentment and dissimilarities of analysis among the key players, a reduction
of benefits and unfair distribution of resources pushed her to seek for a better and
greener pasture in other countries year 1995. She believed on the saying “pera na
naging bato pa” when her working visa for Japan was denied. Amidst such
disappointment she still hopes to pursue her desire to earn yen if it’s the will of
God but the researcher had already entrusted everything to the Lord. Hence, to
overcome her frustration and not to be bored and jobless, she applied at the
Department of Agriculture, Cordillera Administrative Region and assigned at the
Planning and Monitoring Division from 1999-2003, then transferred to the
livestock division where she was designated the planning/report officer of said
sector from CY 2006 – 2011 and the Regional Genetic Improvement Program
Coordinator. From March 15, 2010 to present, the researcher was designated as
the Provincial Coordination Officer (PCO) for Abra of the Second Cordillera
Highland Agricultural Resource Management Project (CHARMP2), a special
project of the Department of Agriculture; and likewise, designated as the
Provincial Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) of the Department
of Agriculture for the said Province.
ROSEMARIE BESAS TESORO, April 2012. Assessment of the Artificial Insemination
Program on Buffalo in the Cordillera Administrative Region. Benguet State University. La
Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Erlinda B. Alupias, Ph.D.
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to look into the extent of implementation of the artificial
insemination program on buffalo in the Cordillera Administrative Region; factors affecting the
implementation; the advantages and benefits felt by the AI Technicians and farmers; and the
problems encountered in the implementation of the program.
Findings showed that the extent of implementation of the AI Program on Buffalo in terms
of its program components: AI Technicians’ trainings, farmers class, government subsidies from
both the National Government Agencies and the Local Government Units and the monitoring
and evaluation component done by the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit-
Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-RFU-CAR) and the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO),
were perceived as moderately implemented.
The perceived factors affecting the implementation of the program are: knowledge and
skills of AI Technicians and farmers on artificial insemination; positive attitudes towards the AI
Program; and subsidies provided by both NGA and LGUs. Awareness of the program, as
perceived by the farmers, led them to participate in the farmers’ classes.
The perceived advantage of artificial insemination was the convenience of the Technicians
and famers in handling the semen while transporting them to the inseminating areas. In natural
breeding, transporting the bull is very difficult. The perceived benefits were higher income for
farmers due to better quality of the offspring through artificial insemination and more
manageable behavior of the animals.
The problems encountered during the implementation of the program were: (1) negative
attitudes of the farmers towards the AI program; (2) lack of AI Technicians; (3) no accessible
roads to the farms; (4) lack of information dissemination about the program; (5) insufficient
financial support by the LGUs; (6) dystocia or the difficulty of giving birth due to oversized and
overweight offspring.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Bibliography
. . . . . . .
i
Abstract . . . . . . .
i
Table
of
Contents
. . . . . . .
iii
INTRODUCTION
. . . . . . .
1
Background of the Study
.
.
.
.
.
1
Conceptual Framework
.
.
.
.
.
5
Statement of the Problem
.
.
.
.
.
11
Hypotheses of the Study
.
.
.
.
.
12
METHODOLOGY
. . . . . . .
13
Research
Design . . . . . .
13
Locale and Population of the Study
.
.
.
13
Data Collection Procedures
.
.
.
.
23
Data Collection Instruments
.
.
.
.
24
Treatment
of
Data
. . . . . .
25
RESULTS
AND
DISCUSSION
. . . . .
26
Extent of Implementation of Artificial Insemination
Program on Buffalo as perceived by AI Technicians
and
Farmers
. . . . . . .
26
Extent of Implementation of the Training
Component as Perceived by the
Artificial Insemination Technicians
.
.
.
26
Extent of Implementation of the Training
Component of AI Program as Perceived
by the Farmers
.
.
.
.
.
28
Extent of Implementation of the Government
Subsidy for AI Program as Perceived by the
AI Technicians .
.
.
.
.
.
28
Extent of Implementation of the Government
Subsidy for AI Program as Perceived
by the Farmers .
.
.
.
.
.
29
Extent of Implementation of the Monitoring
and Evaluation Component as Perceived
by the AI Technicians .
.
.
.
.
31
Extent of Implementation of the
Monitoring and Evaluation Component as
Perceived by the Farmers
.
.
.
.
31
Perceived Factors Affecting the Implementation
of the Artificial Insemination Program on Buffalo .
.
32
Perceived Factors by AI Technicians .
.
.
.
32
Technical knowledge and Skills in
Artificial Insemination .
.
.
.
.
32
Attitudes of the AI Technicians towards
the Artificial Insemination Program
.
.
.
34
Support from the Government .
.
.
.
36
Perceived Factors Affecting the Implementation
of the Artificial Insemination Program on Buffalo .
.
39
Awareness and Availment of the AI Program .
.
39
Technical Knowledge and Skills Factor
.
.
40
Attitudes of the Farmers towards AI Program .
.
45
Advantages/Benefits from using the Artificial
Insemination Program
.
.
.
.
.
47
Advantages/Benefits of the AI Program as
Perceived by the AI Technicians
.
.
.
47
Advantages/Benefits of the AI Program as
Perceived by the Farmers
.
.
.
49
Problems Encountered in the Implementation of the
Artificial Insemination Program on Buffalo .
.
.
51
Problems Encountered by the AI Technicians. .
.
51
Problems Encountered by the Farmers .
.
.
54
Summary
. . . . . . .
61
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .
.
.
64
Conclusions .
.
.
.
.
.
.
64
Recommendations
. . . . . .
65
LITERATURE
CITED . . . . . .
67
APENDICES
. . . . . . . .
70
A Sample Letter to the Respondents
.
.
.
70
B Questionnaires for AI Technicians/VBAITs
.
.
71
C Questionnaires for Farmers
.
.
.
.
75
D Acronyms
.
.
.
.
.
.
79
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
.
.
.
.
.
80
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Buffaloes have been an integral part of the livestock agriculture in Asia. It is
an indigenous animal in the Philippines. There are about 174 million buffaloes in
the world (FAO Statistics 2007) and roughly 97% or 167 million heads are found
in the Asian region (Cruz, 2000).
In the Philippines, 3.3 million buffalo (BAS Survey 2006) are kept both in
backyard and commercial farms. About 99% of the animals are kept in backyard
farms and 1% is kept in commercial farms. In the Cordillera Administrative
Region (CAR), buffalo population is 86,680 (all ages) wherein 86,296 heads are
in the backyard and 384 are in commercial farms (BAS 2008).
Buffalo is considered as the beast of burden in the Philippines, producer of
draft power and a primary source of milk, meat and hides. Despite its importance
to the economic and social fabric of the country, its population has been declining
due the following reasons: increased urbanization, industrialization and
reforestation limiting paddy areas for buffaloes; growing buffalo slaughter rate to
satisfy meat demands of a fast growing population; poor reproductive
performance; and lack of proper attention by policy makers and researchers. In
light of this, the animals have to be improved from being a mere source of draft
power to a producer of meat and milk to serve as additional income to supplement
what the farmers earn from crops. This is the very reason why buffalo
development was introduced by the government, which aims to produce
genetically superior germplasm for enhanced and sustained genetic improvement.
The technology of artificial insemination for buffalo was strengthened
through Republic Act 7307 (otherwise known as the Philippine Carabao Act of
1992). The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), was mandated to promote the
development of the buffalo as source of meat, milk, draft power and hides became
operational in 1993 and took momentum from the gains and achievements of the
earlier program of the Philippine Carabao Research and Development Center
(PCRDC) which started in 1982 (PCC History). Artificial Insemination is defined
as the collection of semen of the male and the introduction of the same into the
vagina of the female tract at proper time with the help of instruments (Cruz,
2000).
Artificial Insemination played a valuable and important role in facilitating
appropriate genetic improvement in animal population through widespread use of
outstanding males and dissemination of superior genetic material (Food &
Fertilizer Technology Center Newsletter 153, Sept. 2003). Further, Artificial
Insemination also accelerated the improvement of animal production through the
introduction of desirable traits such as higher milk yield or better growth rate
while conventional breeding takes decades to produce major changes. Improving
the animal’s productivity improves the farmers’ capability to generate additional
income supplementing what they earn from crops. Pagadut (2008) added that the
Artificial Insemination Program was utilized for its economic importance and
other advantages in carabao breeding, reproduction and genetic improvement.
Artificial insemination offers an economically feasible means of increasing
the productive performance of buffalo. According to Tomar (1984), the
advantages of artificial insemination are: 1) One bull can replace the use of at
least ten (10) bulls, 2) Semen from a bull can be easily transported to farther
distances without being hindered by geographical boundaries, 3) Semen
characteristics of every breeding bull are evaluated for their suitability in
breeding operation, 4) a proven bull which has grown old can be fully utilized
during his short life span, and 5) Un-equal mating with un-equal sized mates or
with inter-species breeding may be made convenient with artificial insemination.
As stated by Cruz, 2000, the use of best bulls with desirable traits is maximized
by way of collecting their semen servicing as many females as possible, which are
not normally available for natural mating. Truly, that a semen donor can produce
an average of about 5,000 doses of semen per year which can serve about 2,500 -
3,500 females (NABC 2008). While the use of natural mating, a bull can only
serve a maximum of 50 females per year. Similarly, Limson (2009) mentioned
that improving the animals’ productivity improves the farmers’ capability to
generate additional income. Given a very proficient AI technicians and good
quality semen, it is expected that: the success rate may be comparable; animal
breed will improve with high vigor and larger body size; and, higher production
through good quality carcass and increased income (Paligutan, 2008).
At present, the Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Carabao
Center at Central Luzon State University, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija caters the
implementation of the AI technology in the Cordillera Administrative Region. It
is also mandated to conserve, propagate and promote the buffalo as a source of
milk, meat, draft power and hide to benefit the rural farming families.
Strengthening institutional capabilities towards the improvement of the animal
resources as provider of milk and meat in order to enhance family nutrition and
income among farming communities has been obtaining. The future outlook of
the buffalo sector leads to the transformation of the buffalo as an important
producer of milk and meat resulting to the creation of more employment
opportunities and increase in rural income through the proliferation of buffalo-
based dairy enterprise (www.pcc.da.gov.ph).
The effort was further strengthened when the project established its Semen
Processing Laboratory to locally produce processed frozen buffalo semen for
massive AI services and eventual distribution to breeding centers and individual
farmers to carry out genetic improvement. Training is also important to equip and
mobilize AI technicians to effectively implement the artificial insemination
program. Likewise, development of technologies and assistance in policy
assessment and formulation leading to a more productive buffalo industry
(Mamuad et al., 2008).
Shifting from the use of draft buffalo to small hand tractor is apparently
common in irrigated rice-producing areas. Nonetheless, the reality remains that
despite the introduction of hand tractors, the farmers can not totally do away with
the draft buffaloes. If buffaloes are no longer used for work, then the animals have
to be improved from being a mere source of draft power to a producer of meat and
milk. The farmers need additional income to supplement what they earn from
crops. This is the very reason why buffalo development is needed.
Conceptual Framework
To change the scenario, the government through the Department of
Agriculture and other attached agencies such as the Bureau of Animal Industry
and the Philippine Carabao Center and the local government units were included
to work for agriculture modernization. The initiative and cooperation of farmers
themselves and the community are also important in the buffalo development
program. In addition, it is imperative that other commodities including buffaloes
must be given special concern and attention so that they can be a potential for
development (Bragado, 2004).
The paradigm (Figure 1) shows the direction and coverage of the study. The
independent variables are the National Government support such as: trainings of
AI technicians, AI paraphernalia and cash incentives; Local Government Unit
support such as AI Technicians and their travelling allowances; monitoring and
evaluation.
The intervening variables focused on; the factors affecting the
implementation of AI program which includes the technical knowledge of AI
Technicians and farmers, and their attitudes towards the program.
The dependent variables look into the extent of implementation of Artificial
Insemination on buffalo; and the benefits from AI Program on Buffalo.
Artificial Insemination Program is implemented by the Department of Agriculture
to accelerate the genetic resource improvement for buffaloes to produce animals
with better productivity for milk and meat. The increase in the population of
buffaloes in the Cordillera Administrative Region and increase in number of
farmers’ AI beneficiaries and increase on the farmers’ income could be an
indicator of a fully implemented project.
The support from the National Government through the Department of
Agriculture provides policy framework in directing public investments and the
Local Government Units to provide the support services necessary to make
agriculture enterprises profitable and to help spread the benefits of development
to the poor, particularly those in rural areas (Agriculture & Fishery Modernization
Act of 1997). Provision of trainings, AI paraphernalia and cash incentives are
imperative to fully implement the Artificial Insemination Program and to improve
the technical, business and social capabilities of farmers.
Trainings are provided by the Philippine Carabao Center. This is to equipped
agricultural technicians with the necessary skills and knowledge (Pasalo, 2008).
Davalos (2006) cited by Mandac (1984) who pointed out that agricultural
extension workers who attended more training become more active in pertinent
activities of the government.
AI Technicians who are fully equipped with skills will directly contribute to
the prompt adoption and technology dissemination. These are basic needs for
improved performance of the livestock industry (Livestock Development
Program). According to Estigoy (1990), farmers were provided with latest
information and trained with the proper use of innovations through farmers’ class
and or training.
More significantly, Schwass et al., (1982) emphasized the need to produce
extension workers and technicians who are professional officers, technically
equipped to give farmers accurate advice on matters of crops and animal
production. In addition, technicians must be knowledgeable, well-trained and
committed to serve (Mamuad et al., 2008).
The provision of Paraphernalia which includes semen, liquid nitrogen (LN2)
tank, AI guns, insemination syringes, plastic shoulder length gloves, paper towels,
alcohol and other materials contained in the kit can facilitate the implementation
of the AI Program.
Cash Incentives were given to AI technicians who performed the task
effectively and efficiently. Each technician received P2,000.00 per month as
incentive for all agriculture programs and additional cash of P100.00 for every
calf drop/offspring produced from the animals they inseminated. Provision of
incentives to the AI Technicians can be of great motivation that will contribute to
the implementation of the programs. Estrada (2005) further emphasized that
agricultural extension workers deserve appropriate and adequate remuneration
and other incentives to ensure the responsive and effective delivery of services to
the agricultural and fisheries sector.
An effective monitoring and evaluation components of the program ensures
that the right inputs are made available at the right time and to ensure that the
inputs are producing the planned outputs. Therefore, the success of every program
rest mainly on the consent and dynamic participation of the governed and good
management as well (Tesoro, 2002). It is designed to assess the effects of the
project components. This component was expected to cause the changes and
improve the performance of the implementers and the beneficiaries as well.
Another component of the program is the Local Government Units’ support
in terms of providing their technicians to implement the AI program in
collaboration with the appropriate government agencies and the private sector. In
addition, the LGUs were task to provide the technicians their travelling
allowances and incidental expenses in their respective areas of jurisdiction. Such
provisions or counterparts are assumed to contribute to the full implementation of
the AI program.
The factors affecting the Artificial Insemination Program are the technical
knowledge of both the AI Technicians and farmers. Technical knowledge is
becoming a much more important factor in the success of most developmental
programs/projects in today’s scenario (Moe, 2000). He further states that
technology is the driver of the new economy and human capital is its fuel.
Knowledge makes the difference in how an individual performs and also makes
the difference in how well program/projects be implemented and for that matter,
how well a country performs.
Education plays a prime role in acquiring technical knowledge. AI
technicians as well as farmers should be technically equipped. This could only be
overwhelmingly achieved through trainings, seminars and farmers’ classes. A
technically equipped AI Technicians and even farmers can contribute to the
success of the AI program.
Attitudes of AI Technicians and farmers may be expressed as an opinion or it
may be unexpressed. These have something to do with how they act.
Understanding of attitude helps explain personal behavior which is useful in
understanding collective behavior in society. Understanding of attitude may help
a lot of people, institution and organizations to learn and to be changed.
Independent Variables (Input)
Dependent Variables (Output)
• National Government Agency
1. Extent of Implementation of the
(NGA) support
AI Program on Buffalo in CAR
- Training of AI
Technicians
Fully Implemented 3.0
- AI paraphernalia
Moderately Implemented 2.0
- Cash Incentives
Poorly Implemented 1.0
• Local Government Unit
(LGU) support
2. Benefits from AI Program on
- AI Technicians
Buffalo in CAR
- Travelling allowance
Strongly Agree
3.50 - 4.00
Agree
2.50 - 3.49
• Monitoring & evaluation
Disagree 1.50 - 2.49
Strongly Disagree 1.00 - 1.49
Factors affecting the Artificial
Insemination Program:
- Technical Knowledge of AI
Technicians & farmers
- Attitudes of AI Technicians
and farmers
Intervening Variables (Input)
Figure 1. Paradigm showing the variables of the study
Statement of the Problem
The primary concern of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the
artificial insemination program on Buffalo in the Cordillera Administrative
Region. The program having the general objective for the acceleration of the
genetic make-up of buffalo through the infusion of genetically elite and superior
breed will assist farmers increase their income and improve the productivity of
their existing large population of native breed of buffalo. The study answered the
following questions:
1. What is the extent of implementation of the AI Program on Buffalo in the
Cordillera Administrative Region as perceived by the AI Technicians and
farmers?
2. What are the perceived factors affecting the implementation of the AI
Program on Buffalo?
3. What are the perceived advantages and benefits felt by AI Technicians
and farmers from using the Artificial Insemination?
4. What are the problems encountered in the implementation of the AI
Program on Buffalo?
Hypotheses of the Study
The researcher was guided by the following hypothesis:
1. There are significant differences on the extent of implementation of the
AI program on Buffalo in CAR as perceived by the AI Technicians and farmers.
2. There are significant differences on the factors affecting the
implementation of the AI Program on Buffalo in CAR as perceived by the AI
Technicians and farmers.
3. There are significant differences on the awareness of farmers on the
importance and benefits that they could derive from the Artificial Insemination
Program.
4. There are significant differences on the problems encountered by the AI
Technicians and farmers in the implementation of the AI Program.
METHODOLOGY
This section presents the research design, population and locale of the study,
data collection instruments, data collection procedures and treatment of data.
Research Design
The study used statistical computations to determine the factors and the
extent of implementation of the Artificial Insemination Program in the Cordillera
Administrative Region. Both the quantitative and qualitative approach was used
to help the researcher to look at any suggestions in the sustainable implementation
of the program.
Locale and Population of the Study
The study was conducted in the five (5) provinces (Abra, Apayao, Benguet,
Ifugao and Kalinga) of the Cordillera Administrative Region (Fig.2). There were
2 groups of respondents in the study. The first group consisted of 26 trained AI
Technicians from: Abra (4), Apayao (4), Benguet (6), Ifugao (6), Kalinga (2) and
DA-CAR (4). The second group comprised of 200 buffalo raisers from top three
municipalities in each provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao and Kalinga.
Said farmers were beneficiaries of the AI program and had their animals (buffalo)
inseminated from year 2007-2009. (GMA-LP UNAIP Report 2007-2009).
Flora
Luna
Pudtol
Sta. Marcela
Bangued
Lagangilang
San Juan
Tabuk City
Bokod
La Trinidad
Lagawe
Tuba
Lamut
Tublay
A.Lista
Baguio City
Figure 2. Map of the study area, Cordillera Administrative Region
In Mountain Province, there were only few beneficiaries due to lack of trained AI
Technicians. The breakdown of respondents in each province is shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Distribution of respondents by province by municipality
NUMBER
PROVINCE MUNICIPALITY AI Technicians Farmers
%
%
Abra (PVO)
4 15.0
Bangued
11
Lagangilang
10
San Juan
10
31 15.5
Apayao
(PVO) 1
Flora
1
18
Luna
-
12
Pudtol
1
-
Sta. Marcela
1
19
4 15.0
49
24.5
Baguio (DA-RFU-CAR)
4
Benguet (PVO)
2
Bokod
1
-
La Trinidad
1
14
Tuba
1
13
Tublay
1
9
10 38.46 36 18.0
Ifugao
(PVO)
1
Lamut
2
20
Lagawe
1
9
Alfonsolista
2
25
6 23.07 54 27.0
Kalinga (PVO)
Tabuk
2 7.69 30 15.0
_________________________________________________________________
Total
26
200
Source: GMA-LP-UNAIP, 2007-2009
Socio Demographic Profile of the
Artificial Insemination Technicians
Table 2 shows the socio-demographic profile of the AI Technicians.
Sex, age and marital status. There were more male respondents (96.2%) than
females (Table 2). Majority, 50% of the respondents were within the 31 to 50
years of age; the next age group which accounted for 26.9 % belonged to the 50
years old and above; and the least group, 23.1% belonged to 30 years old and
below. Most of them were married, 84.6% while the other two are single and
widow, 7.7%, respectively.
Educational attainment. Twenty one (21) or 80.8% of the AI technicians are
holder of Bachelor’s Degree and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine; two (7.7%)
finished a certificate and diploma course, respectively while only one or 3.8% is a
high school graduate.
Field of specialization. Among the AI Technicians, 50% have specialized in
animal science/animal husbandry; veterinary medicine, 7.7%;
agribusiness/agriculture, 23.1%; while 19.2% disclosed no specialization.
Position in government office. At least 30% of the AI Technicians were
agricultural technologist. The others are the Village Based Artificial Insemination
Technicians (VBAIT), 26.9% who do not hold any position in the government
because; they are volunteers assisting the AI technicians.
Table 2. Socio-demographic profile of AI Technicians/VBAITs
Particulars
Frequency Percentage
n= 26
%
a. Sex
Male
25
96.2
Female
1
3.8
b. Age
30 & below
6
23.1
31 – 50
13
50.0
51 & above
7
26.9
c. Marital Status
Single
2
7.7
Married
22
84.6
Widow
2
7.7
d. Educational Attainment
Certificate
2
7.7
Diploma
2
7.7
BS
21
80.8
High School
1
3.8
e. Field of Specialization
Animal Science/Husbandry
13
50.0
DVM
2
7.7
Agribusiness/Agriculture
6
23.1
None
5
19.2
f. Position in Government Office
Market Inspector
4
15.4
Center Chief
1
3.8
Agricultural Technologist
8
30.8
Sr. Agriculturist
3
11.5
Agricultural Technician
1
3.8
Job Order
2
7.7
None (VBAIT)
7
26.9
Table 2. continued…
Particulars
Frequency Percentage
n= 26
%
g. Current designation
Regional AI Coordinator (RAIC)
1
3.8
Provincial AI Coordinator (PAIC) 5
19.2
None
20
77.0
h. Length of Service
20 years up
4
15.4
10 – 20
10
38.5
5 – 10
6
23.1
1 – 4
6
23.1
i. VBAIT
Yes
6
23.1
No
20
76.9
j. Years as VBAIT
10 years up
0
0
5 – 9
1
3.8
1 – 4
5
19.3
Less than 1 year
20
76.9
Administrative designations. Majority of the AI technicians (77%) had no
administrative designation in the government office. Five (19.2%) of the
respondents were Provincial Artificial Insemination Coordinators (PAIC) and
only one (3.8%) respondent is the Regional Artificial Insemination Coordinator
(RAIC).
Length of service. Four (15.4%) of the AI Technicians have served the
government for 20 years and above; Six (23.1%) of them were in the service for
5-10 years and another 6 (23.1%) 1-4 years; Ten (38.5%) respondents have 10 –
20 years in the service. This result shows that most of the AI technicians have
been in the service for 10-20 years which implies that they had experiences in the
buffalo upgrading program.
Skills and Experiences of the
Artificial Insemination Technicians
Table 3 shows the skills training attended by the AI Technicians.
AI related trainings attended. Training is an important intervention being
conducted to equip agricultural technicians with the necessary skills and
knowledge (Pasalo, 2008). To respond to the requirement of the Buffalo
Upgrading Program, the Philippine Carabao Center conducted training activities
for technicians. There were 96.2% of the AI Technicians attended AI training
course; only 26.9% attended the semen processing. These findings shows that the
technicians involved in AI know the basic principles of insemination. Indeed,
technicians must be knowledgeable, well-trained and committed to serve as stated
by Mamuad et al., 2008. Some of the technicians (46.1%) attended trainings from
year 2006 to 2010. The rest attended as early in 1986-2005.
Number of years performing artificial insemination. Eight (30.7%) of the
technicians have been conducting AI for more than 5 years while the rest had
been performing AI for less than 5 years. This shows that a technician serving for
a long period of time is expected to possess better skills and can effectively
perform the task with efficiency.
Table 3. Training and experience of the AI technicians
Particulars
Frequency Percentage
n= 26
%
1. AI related training attended
AI training course
25
96.2
Semen processing
7
26.9
Embryo transfer
2
7.7
Pregnancy Diagnosis
1
3.8
2. Year attended
1986 – 1999
8
30.8
2000 – 2005
6
23.1
2006 – 2010
12
46.1
3. Number of years conducting AI
Less than 2 years
6
23.1
2 – 3
6
23.1
4 – 5
6
23.1
More than 5 years
8
30.7
* Multiple responses
Socio-demographic profile of farmers
Table 4 shows the profile of the farmer respondents who are beneficiaries of
the Artificial Insemination Program
Sex, age and marital status. There were more male respondents (96.5%)
than females (Table 4). Majority of the respondents were within the 40 to 49 years
of age, which accounted for 34%. The next age group which accounted for 33.0 %
belonged to 50-59 years old and the least group accounted for 7.5% belong to 29
years old and below. As to the marital status 186 or 93.0% of the farmers were
married, 12 or 6.0% were single and while 2 or 1.0% were widow/separated.
Table 4. Socio-demographic profile of the farmer respondents
PARTICULAR
n
%
a. Sex
Female
7
3.5
Male
193
96.5
b. Age
60
and
above
24
12.0
50
–
59
66
33.0
40
–
49
68
34.0
30
–
39
27
13.5
29 and below
15
7.5
c. Marital Status
Single
12
6.0
Married 186
93.0
Widow/separated
2
1.0
d. Educational Attainment
Elementary
46
23.0
High
School
97
48.5
College
57
28.5
e. Approximate family income per annum
More than 10,000 pesos
83
41.5
5,000 – 10,000 pesos
77
38.5
Below 5,000 pesos
40
20.0
f. Sources of income
Government employee
11
5.5
Farming/banana
plantations/laborers
173
86.5
Grocery store/business
4
2.0
Carpentry/construction work
4
2.0
Piggery
3
1.5
Barangay official
2
1.5
Pensioner
2
1.0
Tricycle driver
1
.5
Table 4. Continued…
a. Number of buffalo raised (heads)
1
-5
155
77.5
6
–
10
34
17.0
11 – 20
6
3.0
Above 20
5
2.5
b. Number of years in raising buffalo
1
–
5
47
23.5
6
–
10
50
25.0
11
–
20
61
30.5
Above
20
42
21.0
c. Uses of buffalo
Draft
184
92.0
Milk
5
2.5
Meat
106
53.0
Breeder/sale/production
8
4.0
*Multiple answers
Educational attainment. Most of the farmer respondents, 97 or 48.5%
finished high school; 57 or 28.5 % finished college, while 46 or 23.0% finished
elementary education.
Approximate family income per annum. Of the 200 respondents, 83 or
41.5% indicated an income of more than 10,000.00 per annum; 77 or 38.5% were
earning 5,000.00-10,000.00 while 40 or 20.0% indicated that their annual income
was below 5,000.00. Other sources of income were as follows: 173 or 86.5% were
engaged in farming, while 11 or 5.5% were government employees and others get
other income from business/grocery, carpentry, swine raising, pensioners and
barangay officials.
Number of buffaloes owned. Out of the 200 respondents, 77.5% owned
buffaloes ranging from 1-5 heads; 17.0% owned 6-10 heads; 3.0% owned 11-20
heads and only 2.5% owned more than 20 heads.
Number of years in raising buffaloes. Most (61 or 30.5%) of the respondents
had been raising buffaloes for 11-20 years; 50 respondents (25.0%) claimed to
have 6-10 years; other 47 respondents (23.5%) claimed to 1-5 years; and 42
(21.0%) with above 20 years’ experience in raising buffaloes.
Uses of buffaloes. Most of the farmers (92%) claimed that their Buffaloes
were mostly used for draft (plowing, hauling, transport), followed by used for
meat (carabeef), 53%; for breeder 4%; and only 2.5% said who used for milk.
When draft animals can no longer be useful for work, the farmers usually sold
them for carabeef in the market.
Data Collection Procedures
The DA-Livestock Program of the DA-RFU-CAR provided the list of AI
trained technicians/Village-Based AI Technicians and list of farmers with their
animals already inseminated from years 2007-2009. BAS-CAR provided the
inventory of buffalo population in the 5 provinces of the Cordillera. These data
served as the basis in determining the respondents from the provinces. The farmer
respondents were randomly selected from the list of farmers submitted to the
Livestock Sector. Said farmers had their animals that were artificially
inseminated.
Letters were sent to the Provincial/City Veterinarians and Municipal
Agriculturist asking permission to collect data and request for assistance from the
trained AI technicians in floating the questionnaires and collecting the result from
the farmer respondents.
Data Collection Instruments
A survey questionnaire was used to collect information comprising of
structured questions. Guided questions were also used to gather important and
relevant information. Secondary data were gathered from printed documents,
internet and books to supplement the data that were collected.
The survey form or questionnaires were pre-tested in the Province of Abra.
The questionnaires were revised according to the comments and responses of the
respondents. Irrelevant and not appropriate items were removed while some of the
questions were modified in such a way that the respondents could easily
understand and give their answers.
Treatment of Data
The data gathered were tabulated, summarized and analyzed using
appropriate statistical tools. Tables were used to present the data. The descriptive
statistics included the frequency distribution, weighted means and percentage.
One sample t-test was used to test hypothesis 1 and 2 specifically on the
attitudes factors affecting the implementation of AI Program, NGA & LGU
support, hypothesis 3 and 4 specifically on the benefits and problems encountered
in the implementation of AI Program as perceived by the AI Technicians.
Cochran’s Q test was used to test the factors affecting the implementation of
AI Program on Buffalo as perceived by the AI Technicians and farmers:
knowledge and skills and awareness of the AI Program (hypothesis 2).
Chi-square (X2) test was used to test the significant differences on the
problems encountered by farmers in the implementation of AI Program of
Buffaloes (hypothesis 4)
The values under the t-distribution served as basis for rejecting or accepting
the hypothesis. Thus, the alternative hypothesis is accepted if tc is lesser than 0.05
level of significance otherwise, the hypothesis is rejected.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Extent of Implementation of AI Program on Buffalo
as perceived by AI Technicians and Farmers
Table 5 presents the extent of implementation of the AI Program on buffalo
in CAR as perceived by the AI Technicians and farmer beneficiaries in
accordance to its program components.
Extent of Implementation of the Training
Component as Perceived by the AI Technicians
The Philippine Carabao Center, an attached agency of the Department of
Agriculture provided free trainings for AI technicians to equip them with the
necessary skills and knowledge. The topics included semen processing; embryo
transfer and pregnancy diagnosis. Other topics such as anatomy and physiology of
male and female buffalo, insertion, estrus synchronization, ovarian palpation, and
basic nutrition were also included.
The finding shows that the AI Technicians perceived that the training
component was moderately implemented. Some AI Technicians were not able to
attend all the said training components due to financial constraints by the LGUs
and viewed by their Local Chief Executives as less priority. Failure of some AI
Technicians to attend trainings would result to inadequate skills to perform their
job. This result corroborates the findings of Batugan (2000) which he stated that
AI Technicians were not fully confident because they feel that the necessary skills
Table 5. Extent of implementation perceived by AI technicians and farmers
AI TECHNICIANS
FARMERS
PROGRAM COMPONENT WEIGHTED DESCRIPTIVE
MEAN EQUIVALENT
(XW)
(DE)
XW DE
AI Technicians Trainings
2.04
MP
Farmer’s
Class 1.90
MP
Government
Subsidy:
National Government Agency
• AI paraphernalia
2.49
MP
2.00 MP
• Cash
Incentives 2.50
FI
Local Government Units
• Travelling
allowance
1.69
MP
• Manpower
resources
1.90
MP
1.67
MP
Monitoring
&
Evaluation:
• DA-RFU-CAR
1.88
MP
1.71 MP
• PVO
2.47 MP
2.22 MP
__________________________________________________________________
General Weighted Mean
2.13 MP
1.90 MP
tc = 13.718*
tc = 34.493*
prob
<0.01
prob<0.01
Xw
=
2.13
Xw
=
1.90
*Significant
*Significant
Legend: 2.50 – 3.00 Fully Implemented
(FI)
1.50 – 2.49 Moderately Implemented (M)
1.00 – 1.49 Poorly Implemented (PI)
they acquired through training were not fully sufficient to fully implement the AI
program. According to Battad (2001) as cited by Pasalo (2008) that training is
mainly with the acquisition or development of knowledge, skills, techniques and
attitudes; and is very useful in helping individuals develop their abilities.
Extent of Implementation of the Training Component
of AI Programs as Perceived by the Farmers
On the side of the farmer respondents, their training program was called
Farmer’s Class, which was conducted by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian
(OPVet), City Veterinarian Office (CVO) and Office of the Municipal
Agriculturist (OMAG). Result shows that the conduct of farmer’s class was
moderately implemented with a weighted mean of 1.90. The farmers claimed that
they gained additional knowledge specifically on the feeding management,
prevention and control of pest and diseases, environmental management and
animal reproduction. This finding conforms to the foremost reason of conducting
farmers class by Palengleng (2009) is learning and sharing of knowledge and
skills by farmers wherein their various views and experiences can complement
each other. Thus, mutual satisfaction was attained during the classes.
Extent of Implementation of the Government Subsidy
for AI Program as Perceived by the AI Technicians
To fully implement the AI program, the National Government Agency was
tasked to provide the AI paraphernalia, which includes: semen; liquid nitrogen
(LN2) tank; a kit containing: AI gun, insemination syringes, plastic shoulder
length gloves, paper towels, alcohol, and others. Cash incentives were also
provided. Finding shows that the provision of the AI paraphernalia was perceived
by the AI Technicians as moderately implemented with a weighted mean of 2.49
and the provision of cash incentives as fully implemented with a weighted mean
of 2.50. The Department of Agriculture provided regular monthly cash incentives
to all Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs). In addition, the Bureau of Animal
Industry, an attached bureau of the Department of Agriculture also provided cash
incentive amounting P100.00 to the AI Technicians for every calf drop/offspring
produced.
On the LGU counterpart to provide traveling allowances to their respective
Agricultural Technician, it was perceived to be moderately implemented with a
mean of 1.69. Due to financial incapability of some LGUs, traveling expenses
were not provided to the AI Technicians. Thus, they could hardly reach all the
intended beneficiaries.
Extent of Implementation of the Government Subsidy
for AI Program as Perceived by the Farmers
On the other hand, the government subsidy (NGA) specifically the provision
of AI paraphernalia was perceived by the farmers as moderately implemented
with a weighted mean of 2.00. An interview with Culhi (2011), Village Based
Technician of Baguio City mentioned that Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) was not
sufficient to cater to their respective coverage areas. He further added that only
the Philippine Carabao Center in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija who provided LN2.
Considering many buffaloes and cattle to be inseminated in CAR including
Regions 2 & 3, which caused the shortage of supply of LN2 hence, resulted to the
delayed transport of semen. These would explain why the implementation was
only moderately implemented.
The farmers perceived that manpower resources were moderately
implemented with a weighted mean of 1.67. Though some farmers recognized
that there were not enough AI Technicians to deliver the services to the remote
areas thus causing low calf drop performance. Similarly, the AI Technicians
viewed that provision of manpower resources was moderately implemented by the
LGUs with a weighted mean of 1.90. However, the technicians employed by the
LGUs were not only doing AI, but they are also performing other functions on the
regular programs of the Department of Agriculture. Further, according to the
Technicians, the program needs well-trained, proficient and committed
technicians to ensure very satisfactory performance. The finding corroborates to
what Ali (1997) had mentioned as cited by Palengleng (2009) that the constraints
in the low adoption of the national government programs are the lack of full and
continuous support from the local government units. The local government units
were mandated to bear the costs of promoting and monitoring the basic needs
program by providing travelling allowances to the Agricultural Technicians in
their respective areas of jurisdiction (AFMA of 1997).
Extent of Implementation of the Monitoring and
Evaluation as Perceived by the AI Technicians
The monitoring and evaluation is a vital mechanism to ensure the efficient
implementation and continuous refinement of the program to achieve its
objectives. This was designed to be a joint effort between Department of
Agriculture-CAR, Provincial Veterinary Office/City Veterinary Office and Office
of the Municipal Agriculturist. The results showed that monitoring and evaluation
of the program was moderately implemented by DA-RFU and PVOs as perceived
by the AI Technicians with a mean of 1.88 and 2.47 respectively. This may be
attributed to the wider coverage areas of the regional and province/city offices
that they cannot monitor all the remote areas coupled with financial constraints.
The finding corroborates with the statement of Batugan (2000) that the ineffective
conduct of monitoring and evaluation by implementers is due to insufficient
financial support.
Extent of Implementation of the Monitoring and
Evaluation as Perceived by the Farmers
Similarly, the farmers confirmed that monitoring and evaluation was
moderately implemented by DA-RFU and PVO with a mean of 1.71 and 2.22,
respectively. The farmers observed that the regional and provincial monitoring
team visited them not too often and rarely visit the remote places due to lack of
mobility and time of travel.
This corroborates with the findings of Tesoro (2002) that monitoring and
evaluation activities were just satisfactorily implemented due to lack of personnel,
budgetary limitations, bureaucratic procedures and attitudes of persons who were
directly or indirectly involved in the implementation of the programs.
Generally, results shows in Table 5 that the extent of implementation of the
program was moderate as perceived by the AI Technicians and farmers with a
weighted mean of 2.13 and 1.9, respectively. Statistically, t-test result shows that
there were significant differences on the responses in the extent of
implementation which means the alternative hypothesis is accepted.
Perceived Factors Affecting the Implementation of the
Artificial Insemination Program on Buffalo
The factors affecting the AI Program on Buffalo as perceived by AI
Technicians includes the following: (1) technical knowledge and skills of AI
Technicians in the conduct of AI; (2) attitudes of AI technicians; and (3) the
support from NGAs and LGUs. Likewise, the perceived factors by the farmers
includes: (1) their awareness and availment to the program; (2) technical
knowledge; and (3) their attitudes towards the program.
Perceived Factors by AI Technicians
Technical knowledge and skills in artificial insemination. As shown in Table
6, all the twenty six (26) AI Technicians confided that they have
Table 6. Knowledge and skills of AI Technicians in inseminating buffaloes
KNOWLEDGE and SKILL on
n
%
Inseminating
buffaloes 26
100
Equipment and facilities used in AI
26
100
Buffalo
synchronization
26
100
Best time to inseminate buffalo in heat
26 100
Practical way to thaw semen in the field
26
100
Thawing semen in the field
25
96.15
Semen
evaluation
14
53.8
Preservation and storage of processed semen in straw
16
61.5
Best storage/preserving semen
15
57.7
Best preserving temperature
16
61.5
Type of liquid nitrogen tank to store semen in straw
21
80.79
Capacity of field tank used during insemination
16
61.5
Maintaining liquid nitrogen tank
15
57.7
Qc = 110.746
prob = <0.01 *significant
appropriate knowledge in inseminating buffaloes; identification of equipment and
facilities used in AI (Figure 5); Buffalo synchronization; best time to inseminate
buffalo in heat and practical way to thaw semen in the field. These knowledge and
skills were acquired through training. This is an indication that they could
perform the task with efficiency (Figure 3). To accelerate the genetic make-up of
buffaloes, The AI Technicians must be knowledgeable, well-trained and
committed to serve so that they can effectively perform their jobs with efficiency
(Mamuad et al., 2008).
The results also show the inadequacies of knowledge by the AI Technicians
on the evaluation of semen; best storage/preservation of semen and maintenance
of the liquid nitrogen tank (LN2).
The findings supports the finding of Palengleng (2009) that AI technicians
need knowledge for new advanced technology to effectively and efficiently
deliver the needed services to the farmers and this can only be overwhelmingly
achieved through constant conduct of trainings. Tiraieyari (2009) also stated that
competent extension workers ensure the success of the extension services and
extension organization as well. The findings further corroborates to the statement
of Schwass et al., (1982) that to better accomplish their work satisfactorily, the
extension workers must have great skill and high level of technological expertise.
Statistical analysis shows that the varied responses are significantly different
from each other as shown in Cochran’s Q-test at 110.746. Hence, the hypothesis
that there are significant differences on the factors affecting the implementation of
the AI Program on Buffalo in CAR as perceived by the AI technicians is
accepted.
Attitudes of the AI Technicians towards the AI Program. The result shows
in Table 7 that the AI Technicians strongly agreed that they have confidence on
their knowledge and skills in the implementation of AI program with a weighted
mean of 3.50. The attitudes they agreed on are: willingness to accept suggestion,
3.20; satisfaction for their job, 3.15; supportive to clients, 3.20; they enjoyed the
Table 7. Attitudes of AI technicians towards AI program
WEIGHTED DESCRIPTIVE
ATTITUDES
MEAN EQUIVALENT
(XW) (DE)
__________________________________________________________________
Confidence on their knowledge & skills
3.50
SA
in the implementation of AI program
Willingness to accept suggestion
3.20
A
Satisfaction to the job
3.15
A
Supportive to clients
3.20
A
Enjoyment in AI implementation 3.30
A
Enthusiasm/passionate to the job 2.90
A
Tiresome doing the job
2.07
D
Good working relationship with supervisor 2.81 A
__________________________________________________________________
General Weighted Mean
3.02
A
tc = 13.160*
prob<0.01
Xw = 3.02
*significant
Legend: 3.50 – 4.00
Strongly Agree
(SA)
2.50 – 3.49
Agree
(A)
1.50 – 2.49
Disagree
(D)
1.00 – 1.49
Strongly Disagree (SD)
implementation of AI program, 3.30; they have passion for their job, 2.90; and
they have good working relationship with their supervisor, 2.81. However, the AI
technicians disagreed that their job is tiresome. Generally, the technicians at least
agreed to have positive attitudes towards the implementation of the AI Program.
The result implies that the farmers had positive attitudes which may have
contributed to the implementation of the AI Program.
The finding corroborates the finding of the study of Batugan (2000) and
Lapitan (1980) that the performance and advancement in the job is dependent on
the attitude toward it. People who have a negative attitude toward their work will
have a hard time advancing and making noticeable career advancements. On the
other hand, people who adopts positive attitude traits at work will find their jobs
to be enjoyable, rewarding and will enjoy all of the opportunities for
advancement. In her study, Tubaňa (2000) cited that technical men should
possessed good qualities that encourage farmers to trust them such as being
trustworthy, resourceful, dedicated and knowledgeable.
The result of the t-test with a probability of <0.01 which is very much lower
than 0.05, hence significant, means that the hypothesis, that there are significant
differences on the attitudes of AI Technicians toward the AI Program is accepted.
Support from the government. Table 8 presents the support from the NGA &
LGUs to the AI Program. Finding shows that the provision of personnel to assist
the LGU staff in the conduct of AI, provision of incentives, adequacy of AI
supplies and, conduct of trainings that were provided by the National Government
Agency were perceived by the AI Technicians as moderately provided. While the
provision of transportation/traveling allowances; conduct of field trips/lakbay aral
and program advocacy information were perceived by the AI Technicians as
poorly provided, giving an average mean of 1.53.
Table 8. Support from the government
LGU’S
NGA’S
SUPPORTS
XW DE
XW (DE)
Provision of personnel
1.81 MP
1.73
MP
Adequacy of AI supplies
2.02 MP
1.81
MP
Provision of incentives
1.31 PP
1.50
MP
Trainings for AI technicians
1.92 MP
1.77
MP
Transportation/travel allowance
1.64 MP
1.37
PP
Conduct of field trips/Lakbay Aral 1.35 PP
1.15
PP
Program advocacy information
1.78 MP
1.38
PP
__________________________________________________________________
General Weighted Mean
1.73 MP
1.53
MP
*significant
tc = 17.686*
tc = 20.226*
prob. <0.01
prob. . <0.01
Xw = 1.73
Xw = 1.53
Legend: 2.50 – 3.00 Fully Provided
(FP)
1.50 – 2.49
Moderately Provided (MP)
1.00 – 1.49
Poorly Provided (PP)
On the part of the Local Government Unit, findings show that all the support
except the provision of incentives and conduct of field trips/lakbay aral were
perceived by the AI Technicians as moderately provided with an average mean of
1.73. Provision of incentives was perceived poorly provided (1.31) because it’s
only the national government through the Department of Agriculture that provides
such. The Local Government Units are also mandated to provide incentives to
their technicians cover other expenses incurred in the field and to supplement the
incentive given by the Department of Agriculture. But most of their respective
LGUs cannot provide such due to insufficient budget or the program is a less
priority of their local executives as stated by the respondents.
Generally, the result of the study shows that the supports from the
government were moderately provided as perceived by the AI Technicians and
the farmer. This implies that when supports from both the national and local
government were not fully provided will cause the ineffective and inefficient
delivery of the AI services by the AI Technicians.
Basically, the implementation of the AI Program is a joint effort of the
national government and the LGUs. Sustained supports are crucial to fully
implement the AI program. The findings of the study of Pasalo (2008) support
the results of this study stating the importance of the supports from NGA and
LGU. When supports are fully provided to implementers and recipients, there is a
great influence in the success of any program introduced by the government. The
result also corroborates to what Werther et al., (1982) highlighted that a reward
system will attract, retain and motivate extension workers to holistically deliver
the needed services to farmers.
Statistically, the result of the t-test had a probability of <0.01 which is very
much lower than 0.05, hence it is significant, therefore, the hypothesis is
accepted.
Factors Affecting the AI Program as
Perceived by the farmers
Awareness and availment of the AI Program. Table 9 shows the awareness
and availment of the AI program by the farmers. Of the 200 farmer respondents
99.00% revealed that they were aware of the artificial insemination program and
the presence of the AI technicians in the locality, 90.5%. Furthermore, majority
of the farmer respondents availed of the consultations provided by the AI
Technicians, 87%; the basic AI services, 77.5%; and consultations provided by
other bureaus and practitioners, 76.0%.
This implies that awareness on the AI Program and visibility of the AI
Technicians have led to the availment of the services of the AI programs and
consultations provided by the AI Technicians as well as services from other
bureaus and practitioners. The findings corroborates to Pagtan (2006) mentioning
that the knowledge the community gained is through their awareness about the
community resources and their involvement and participation in all the activities
undertaken within the community such as attendance to meetings, consultations
and farmers’ classes.
Generally, results show that farmers have varied perception on the awareness
of the AI Program that affected its implementation as indicated in Cochran’s Q-
test of 80.556. With a probability of <0.01, which shows significance difference
thus, the hypothesis is accepted.
Table 9. Awareness and availment of the AI Program by farmer respondents
PARTICULAR
n %
Aware on the:
AI Program of the government
198
99.0
Presence of AI technicians in the locality
181
90.5
Availed of the:
Consultation provided
by
technicians
174
87.0
AI services
155
77.5
Consultations provided by other bureau
& practitioners
152
76.0
Qc = 80.556*
prob. = <0.01
*significant
Technical knowledge and skills factor. Farmers must be equipped with the
necessary knowledge and skills on feeding management; environmental
management and animal reproduction. This can only be attained through
participation to farmers’ classes conducted by the PVO/CVO, OMAG and even
from the staff of the Livestock Sector of the Department of Agriculture. The skills
that were assessed were the following: feeding management, environmental
management and animal reproduction.
One of the technical factors that were considered is the farmers’ knowledge
and skills on feeding management of buffaloes. As shown in Table 10, majority of
the farmers, 60% have a general knowledge on feeding practices of buffaloes.
Most of the farmers were knowledgeable and skilled on: the manner of feeding
buffalo, 82.5%; feeding colostrum to newly born calf, 86.5%; forage crops, 73.5%
and, farm by-products, 73%. However, only a few of the farmers have adequate
Table 10. Knowledge and skills on feeding management by farmers
KNOWLEDGE/SKILL
n
%
General knowledge on feeding practices
120
60.0
Adaption of feeding practices for animals
88
44.0
Feeding
concentrate
mix
52
26.0
Farm-by
products
146
73.0
Forage
crops
147
73.5
Manner
of
feeding
buffalo
165
82.5
Feeding colostrum to newly born calf
173
86.5
1/some respondents failed to supply answers to some variables
Qc = 514.321*
prob. = <0.01
*significant
knowledge on the feeding of concentration mix, 26%, hence, adaption of the
feeding practices was low, 44%. The knowledge and skills that most the farmers
have, could have been gained from the trainings or farmers’ class that they have
attended and their experiences in raising buffaloes as indicated in their profile.
However, the results show that they have little knowledge on the feeding of
concentration mix. This could be attributed to their claim that they had no
adequate training on nutrition and formulation of a balanced ration. This result
affirms the statement of the Food and Fertilizer Technology Center (FFTC), 2010
that the development of local livestock industry is dependent on the production of
good quality forages and adaption of food feeding practices.
Statistical analysis show that farmers have varied perception on the technical
knowledge and skills on feeding management as indicated by the computed Q-
value of 514.321 with a probability of <0.01, hence the hypothesis that there are
significant differences on the factors affecting the AI implementation perceived
by the farmers, accepted.
The knowledge of the farmers on the environmental management of
buffaloes is another factor that was considered in this study that can affect the
implementation of the AI Program. Table 11 shows that 94% of the farmer
respondents claimed that they have general knowledge on the environmental
management of buffaloes. Most of the farmers claimed to have knowledge and
skills on: the management of high temperature 97%; bathing buffaloes, 76%;
animal illness, 96%; other stress signs observed, 97.5%; control and treatment of
diseases, 92%; and prevention to be used, 93%. Result shows that the farmers are
very much knowledgeable on how to manage the environment of their buffaloes.
This implies that they are capable of or raising buffaloes under a well-
managed environment. It also shows that the farmers are knowledgeable on how
to control and prevent illness of their animals. The findings corroborates to the
statement of Moe (2000) that knowledge and skills make the difference in how an
individual performs and also makes the difference in how well projects are to be
implemented. Further, the findings also corroborate to the findings of Jamsawat
(1998) that farmers should be provided with necessary trainings and farmers’
classes. They realized that they needed the know how to provide their animals the
technical assistance during the absence of a veterinarian.
Table 11. Knowledge and skills on environmental management by farmers
KNOWLDEGE AND SKILL
n
%
General knowledge on environmental mgt.
188
94.0
High temperature
195
97.0
Bathing
buffalo 152
76.0
Animal
illness
192
96.0
Signs on illness observed
195
97.5
Control
and
treatment
of
diseases
184
92.0
Prevention
used 186
93.0
Qc = 118.916*
prob. = <0.01
*significant
Statistically, the Cochran’s Q-test indicates a significant difference on the
responses of the farmers which means that the alternative hypothesis is accepted.
Table 12 shows the factor on animal reproduction that affected the
implementation of AI on Buffaloes. Results indicated that (81.0%) of the farmers
has knowledge on the puberty age of buffalo. They cited that the breeding age of
buffalo is two years old. According to Cruz (2000), buffalo shows the sign of in
heat every 21 days and last for about 5 to 36 hours. Findings show that most the
respondent farmers are familiar when does heat period of the buffaloes occur,
(94.5%) and the signs of in heat buffalo (95%).. They said that the common signs
observed were: mounting other animals; copious vaginal discharge; swollen
vulva; animals remain stand still when mounted by other animals and very
restless. Producing disturbing sound and frequent urination are secondary signs.
Table 12. Technical knowledge on animal reproduction by farmers
KNOWLEDGE/SKILL
n
%
Age of puberty of buffalo
162
81.0
Heat
period
observation
189
94.5
Signs of in heat buffalo
190
95.0
Recognizing
pregnant
buffalo
174
87.0
Signs
of
pregnant
buffalo
191
95.5
Recognizing
giving
birth
167
83.5
Signs
of
giving
birth
167
83.5
Qc = 79.957*
prob. = <0.01
*significant
Majority (87.0%) of the farmers claimed that they can recognize well a
pregnant have knowledge on the signs of a pregnant buffalo (95.5%). According
to them, the most common signs are enlargement of the abdomen, no estrus cycle
for several months and enlargement of the teats. Among others are enlargement of
the udder and heavier in weight.
The gestation period of buffaloes is average 310 days. Most of the
respondents (83.5%) claimed that they know how to recognize a buffalo who is
about to give birth. According to them, the many signs of near parturition that
they observed were as follows: udder contains milk, swollen vulva, and frequent
vaginal secretion. Others were restlessness, frequent urination, mucus and water
discharge from the vulva. Accordingly, the animal tends to isolate herself from
the heard and can be recognized through the number of months. The farmers
further mentioned the importance of close monitoring their animals when
initiating to show signs of both estrus and parturition. The findings conform to the
statements of Batugan (2000) and Jamsawat (1998) that because farmers typically
are in close contact with their animals, and will likely be the first to notice signs
of breeding and reproduction, they have the crucial role in triggering
investigations. Consequently, it is important that they be knowledgeable about all
these concerns. By maintaining familiarity with the signs and symptoms and
knowing when and whom to call for help, farmers can speed detection of and
response to occurrences’.
The statistical analysis shows that farmers have varied perception on the
technical knowledge on animal reproduction affecting AI implementation as
indicated by the computed Q-value of 79.957 with a probability of <0.01, that the
hypothesis is accepted.
Attitudes of the farmers towards the AI Program
Table 13 shows the farmers’ attitudes identified by farmers that affected the
implementation of AI Program on Buffalo, which they agreed on were;
confidence on the objectives of the project, 3.11; courageous in asking questions,
3.05; satisfaction of the program, 3.0; good working relationship which the AI
Technicians, 2.92; and good working relationship with other animal raisers, 2.88.
Generally, the farmers agreed to have positive attitudes towards the
implementation of the AI program with a general weighted mean of 2.97. The
result implies that the farmers showed their interest in the AI program as they
Table 13. Farmers’ attitudes towards AI Program
WEIGHTED DESCRIPTIVE
ATTITUDES
MEAN EQUIVALENT
(XW)
(DE)
__________________________________________________________________
Confidence in the objectives of the program 3.11
A
Courageous asking questions
3.05
A
Satisfaction to the program 3.00
A
Good working relationship with AI Technicians 2.92 A
Good working relationship with other animal raisers 2.88 A
_________________________________________________________________
General Weighted Mean
2.97 A
tc = 28.125
prob. = <0.01
Xw = 2.81
*significant
Legend: 3.50 – 4.00
Strongly Agree
(SA)
2.50 – 3.49
Agree
(A)
1.50 – 2.49
Disagree
(D)
1.00 – 1.49 Strongly Disagree (SD)
have confidence that their animals can be upgraded. These was manifested with
their courage in asking questions or consulting their AI Technicians and
establishing a good working relationship with other animal raisers in their area,
that eventually led to their satisfaction on the program. Satisfaction on the
program shows that they appreciated the effects of artificial insemination as a way
of upgrading their animals.
This finding supports the statement of Tubana (2000) that good qualities of
technical men could encourage the farmers to trust on them and ensure that the
thrust of the government could be delivered effectively and efficiently to the
intended beneficiaries. The result of the t-test with a probability of <0.01 which is
very much lower than 0.05, hence significant, which means that the hypothesis is
accepted.
Advantages/Benefits from using the
Artificial Insemination Program
Table 14 shows the three major expected benefits acquired from using the AI
program as agreed on by the AI technicians and farmers: high income/production;
more convenient/suitable in semen handling & more manageable behavior of
animals.
Advantages/Benefits of the AI Program
as Perceived by the AI Technicians
The result of the survey shows that the AI Technicians were amenable on the
benefits that AI Program with a general weighted mean of 2.91. They have agreed
on that offspring of buffaloes produced through AI had increased the farmer’s
income and productivity with a weighted mean of 3.17. According to Limson
(2009) the Unified National Artificial Insemination Program (UNAIP)
Coordinator of DA-BAI, buffaloes produced through Artificial Insemination are
20 to 50 kilos heavier than those produced through the traditional method or
natural breeding. He further elaborated that calf drop through AI grows 40 percent
faster and can calve at three years of age than a natural breeding born calf drop
(Figure 4).
Table 14. Advantages/benefits from using the AI Program
AI TECHNICIANS FARMERS
ADVANTAGES/BENEFITS XW DE XW DE
Higher Income/production
3.17 S
3.19
S
More convenient to handle the semen 2.96 S
2.96
S
More manageable behavior
of animals 2.26 D
2.84
S
__________________________________________________________________
General Weighted Mean
2.91 S
3.06
S
tc = 9.322 tc = 22.925
Xw = 2.91 Xw = 3.06
prob =<0.01 .
prob=<0.01
*significant *significant
Legend: 3.50 – 4.00
Strongly Agree (SA)
2.50 – 3.49
Agree
(A)
1.50 – 2.49
Disagree
(D)
1.00 – 1.49
Strongly Disagree (SD)
AI Technicians also agreed with the statement that AI technique is more
convenient to handle with a weighted mean of 2.96. This is because the AI
Technicians will only carry the semen stored inside the Liquid Nitrogen Tank
(LN2) to the areas where they perform the insemination while in natural breeding
they have to bring the bull to the insemination areas which is more difficult. The
finding corroborates with the statement of Cruz (2009), PCC Executive Director
that Artificial Insemination technique is convenient to handle and easy to access
or ready available. Semen stored in LN2 tank is easily transported to longer
distances thus, minimizing the transport of a bull to do natural breeding.
On the other hand, AI Technicians disagreed that offspring produced through
AI possessed manageable behaviors with a weighted mean of 2.26. They have
observed that calf drops produced from artificially inseminated buffalo are
difficult to feed, tame and not industrious to do agricultural activities in the field.
However, according to Mr. Pagadut (2008), DA-RFU Artificial Insemination
Coordinator (RAIC), the behavior of the animals is dependent on the kind of
breed where semen was collected. He further mentioned that calf drops of
Bulgarian Buffaloes had possessed adverse behavioral characteristics such as
difficult to feed, difficult to tame and not industrious to do the activities in the
farm. This is the reason why the Philippine Carabao Center had stopped the
distribution of semen of this breed to AI technicians; and now, they are providing
more semen of the Indian Buffalo which possesses a more manageable behavior
and is preferred by farmer respondents. However, AI technicians are still
mandated to perform insemination using the Bulgarian Buffalo semen mainly for
milk purposes.
Statistically, the result of the t-test had a probability of <0.01 which is very
much lower than 0.05, which means that the perceived benefits from using the
AI Program is significant, hence, the hypothesis is accepted.
Advantages/Benefits of AI Program as
Perceived by the Farmers
The farmers generally agreed on the stated benefits that AI Program could
provide with a general weighted mean of 3.06. They agreed that offspring
produced through AI had increased their income and productivity. In an interview
done by the researcher with Mr. Sotero Domingo in 2010 stated that his income
increased when selling a three (3) years old offspring produced through AI than
selling same age produced from natural breeding. The result is in support to the
findings of Jamsawat (1998) that calves born through AI from proven sire was
sure to grow faster and were expected to produce good quality meat. The quality
of meat of improved buffaloes demanded a higher price. He further mentioned
that a native buffalo weighed 200 kg at mature weight while improved buffalo
weighed 300 kg at mature weight showing 50% more in weight. This is a very
convincing indication that AI Program can increase farmers’ income and
productivity guided with good management practices such as feeding, health care
and breeding practices.
Similarly, the farmers have agreed with the statement that AI is more
convenient to handle with a weighted mean of 2.96. Since, semen was collected
from bulls bearing desirable traits and exhibiting good health condition, animal
health is rest assured. It is also very important that all breeding bulls are evaluated
for their suitability in breeding operation. Convenience in handling semen from a
bull can be easily transported to longer distances without being hindered by
geographical boundaries. Liquid nitrogen (LN2) tanks preserved and stored semen
for insemination thus, minimizing the transport of a bull to do natural breeding. A
farmer can have access to relatively inexpensive variety of bulls without having to
purchase the bulls themselves. According to Cruz (2009), Artificial Insemination
is convenient to handle and easy to access or ready available.
In an interview by the researcher with Mr. Benedict Pagadut (2008), he
mentioned that appropriate timing of AI is assured. In addition, Limson (2009)
mentioned that handling and hygiene of semen is assured when highly technical
individuals are equipped with suitable trainings related to the program can
establish and manage Semen Processing Laboratory (Mamuad et al., 2008).
The farmers agreed that calf drop is more manageable with a weighted mean
of 2.84. Interviews with various farmers claimed that taming the offspring to
adapt to existing environment and utilizing them in doing agricultural activities
were not difficult. When subjected to statistical test, the result of the t-test had a
probability of <0.01 which is very much lower than 0.05, which means that the
perceived benefits from using the AI Program is significant, hence, the
hypothesis is accepted.
Problems Encountered in the Implementation
of the Artificial Insemination
Program on Buffalo
Problems Encountered by the
AI Technicians
Table 15 presents the problems encountered by AI technicians in the
implementation of the Artificial Insemination Program on Buffalo. The problems
encountered during the implementation of the AI program as shown in Table 19
were: negative attitudes of the farmers, lack of AI technicians, farms have no
access roads, inadequate dissemination to farmers and insufficient program
support. These problems were rated by the AI Technicians as moderately serious
with a general weighted mean of 2.06.
The negative attitude of farmers towards the AI program is moderately
serious as perceived by the AI technicians with a mean of 2.22. This finding
indicates that some farmers seem not to believe or are not interested on the
artificial insemination. This may be attributed to the lack of confidence of the
farmer on the technology. Moreover, the farmers do not find time in reporting to
the AI technicians when their animal is in heat, and it is inconvenient for them to
bring their animals to the pooling place for artificial insemination. This finding,
affirms the statement of Jamsawat (1998) that farmers’ lack of confidence and
faith as to the viability of the technology due to low conception rate thus, makes
them refuse to have their animals inseminated.
The AI technicians felt that their number is not sufficient to cover all their
assigned service area, which they rated as moderately serious with a mean rating
of 2.15. This implies that the AI technicians cannot fully deliver that AI services
to their customers in their assigned areas for the reason that they have other work
assignments or mandates, which is to do services for other livestock under the
various programs of the Department of Agriculture.
Table 15. Problems encountered by AI technicians
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
XW
DE
Negative attitude of farmers
2.22
MS
Lack of AI Technicians
2.15
MS
No accessible roads to the farm
2.08
MS
Lack of info dissemination to farmers
2.04
MS
Insufficient program support by LGU
1.90
MS
__________________________________________________________________
General Weighted Mean
2.06
MS
tc = 12.126* prob<0.01 Xw = 2.06
*significant
Legend: 2.50 – 3.00
Highly serious
(HS)
1.50 – 2.49
Moderately serious (MS)
1.00 – 1.49
Not serious
(LS)
In most farm areas, there is no access road, this is considered by the AI
technicians as a moderately serious problem, with a mean rating 2.08.
Transportation is very essential in the delivery of efficient service to its client in
due time. The technicians can only service limited number of clients because they
spend most of their time walking to and from their work station. In like manner,
the farmers have a difficulty of reporting to the technicians when their animals
exhibit estrus/heat symptoms.
Similarly, the AI technicians felt that there is insufficient information
dissemination of AI technologies to the farmers, with a mean rating of 2.04. This
may be caused by the above mentioned problems that the AI technicians can
hardly reach all the intended beneficiaries of the AI program due to distance. On
the other hand, insufficient information can cause negative attitudes of the farmers
because they are not fully aware of the benefits or advantages of the AI
technology.
Insufficient support for the AI program was identified by the AI technicians
as a problem with a mean rating of 1.90. The AI technicians claimed that the
national government lacks support for field trips/lakbay aral to other areas to see
the success and failures of other AI program. This implies that the AI technicians
were not given enough chance to be motivated or inspired by visiting other areas
that were successful in implementing similar program. Other support system that
the AI technicians claimed as insufficient is the provision of cash incentives by
their local executives. Statistically, the result of the t-test had a probability of
<0.01 which is very much lower than 0.05, hence it is significant, thus the
alternative hypothesis is accepted.
Problems Encountered by the Farmers
Likewise, the farmers have encountered several problems during the
implementation of the AI program on buffaloes as presented in Table 16.
The common problem identified by the farmers (25%) is lack of AI
technicians. This affirms the claims of the AI technicians that they are lacking in
number. Accordingly, many buffaloes were ready for insemination but there were
no sufficient AI technicians to perform the insemination. This implies that the
intended beneficiaries of artificial insemination were not fully served by the AI
technicians. This finding affirms that statement of the technicians that they are not
only mandated to do artificial insemination but they also service other livestock
concerns of their area of responsibility. Seemingly, LGUs cannot hire additional
technicians due to financial incapability.
Dystocia or difficulty in giving birth of AI calves was also encountered by
the farmers (16%) This happens when native breeds are inseminated with semen
from purebred bulls causing oversized and heavy in weight offspring.
The farmers (13.5%) themselves admitted that they have negative attitude towards
AI program. They claimed that they are not fully confident about the AI
technology that not everybody was convinced on the advantages and benefits of
the program. Some also claimed that they don’t have time to confine their animals
for insemination activities. This implies that some farmers would still prefer the
natural breeding since most of their animals is for draft purposes and probably
they are contented with the performance of their animals.
Insufficient support for the AI program was identified by 26% of the
farmers. This was perceived by the farmers as a factor that causes inadequate
supply of semen and unavailability of AI technicians when they are needed.
Added to this factor is the absence of access roads to the farms as felt by 25% of
the respondent farmers, which is similarly felt by the AI technicians. This shows
that there are no means of transportation to reach most farms in the region that
Table 16. Problems encountered by the farmers
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
n
%
Lack
of
AI
technicians 50
25.0
Dystocia
33
16.5
Negative attitude of animal raisers
27
13.5
Insufficient
program
support
26
13.0
Not
accessible
road
25
12.5
Lack of info dissemination
17
8.5
Low
conception
rate
12
6.0
Poor monitoring & follow-up of
inseminated animals
10
5.0
X2c = 21.78*
prob. = <0.01
*significant
which hampers the delivery of services on time especially when the animal is in
heat.
There were few farmers (8.5%) who still claim that there was inadequate
information dissemination regarding the program. This means that not all farmers
have gained enough knowledge and skills on artificial insemination techniques.
This may be due to conflict of schedule with the farmer that they were not able to
attend the farmer’s class or other factors that where earlier identified.
Only 6% of the farmers claimed that there was a low conception rate of
artificially inseminated buffaloes, this means that the AI technology is not 100%
sure of conception rate. This may be accounted to the handling and skills of the
technician performing the AI.
Poor monitoring and follow-up of inseminated animals was also mentioned
by 5% of the respondents. These respondents claimed that their animals were
poorly monitored by the AI technicians assigned in their area. This could be
attributed to the earlier mentioned problems that limit the services of the AI
technicians, which includes absence of access roads, lack of manpower, and lack
of coordination between the AI technicians and farmers.
Statistically, result shows that the farmers have diverse perception on the
problems as indicated in the Chi-square test of 21.78 with a probability of <0.01,
which means that there is a significant difference on the perceived problems by
the farmers that affect the implementation of the AI program. Thus, the
hypothesis is accepted.
AI Technician performing Pregnancy Diagnosis
AI Technician performing artificial insemination
Figure 3. AI Technicians performing pregnancy diagnosis
and artificial insemination
One year old Calf drop
through natural breeding
One year old Calf drop
produced through AI
Figure 4. Calf drops produced through natural breeding
and artificial insemination
AI Paraphernalia
Liquid Nitrogen Tank (LN2)
Figure 5. AI Paraphernalia
Summary
The salient findings of the study are the following:
1. The extent of implementation of the different components of the Artificial
Insemination Program of Buffalo in CAR were all moderately implemented as
perceived by both the AI technicians and farmer respondents. The project
components were: training of AI technicians which provided them knowledge and
skills in implementing the program; the farmer’s classes that were attended by the
farmers to help them understand and accept the AI technology; the government
subsidy from the national and local government unit that provided the
paraphernalia, cash incentives and travel allowances that were used in the
implementation of the AI program, and the monitoring and evaluation system that
were done by the DA-CAR and Provincial/City Veterinary Offices and the
Municipal Agricultural Offices to ascertain the effective and efficient
implementation of the program.
2. The factors that affected the implementation of the program as perceived
by the AI Technicians were: knowledge and skills on artificial insemination,
which made them effectively and efficiently deliver the needed services to the
farmers, positive attitudes of AI Technicians towards the program which gave
them more enthusiasm in implementing the program, support from the National
and their respective LGUs in a form of needed materials, provision of trainings,
travel expenses were used in the implementation of the program.
On the other hand, the factors perceived by the farmers that have affected
the implementation of the program were: their awareness of the program, which
motivated them to attend farmers’ classes and avail of the services of the
program; their technical knowledge and skills in managing their buffaloes made
them realize the benefits of the program, and their positive attitudes towards the
program made them receptive of the services of the A program.
3. The advantages and benefits of using the AI Program were strongly
agreed by both the AI Technicians and farmers that it is more convenient to
handle the semen than the bull in breeding their buffalo and the farmers had
higher income, due to the better quality of the offspring. Further, the farmers
strongly confirmed that the offspring of buffaloes through artificial insemination
had more manageable behavior, though the AI Technicians have disagreed on
this.
4. The problems encountered by the AI Technicians during the
implementation of the program were all moderately serious, these are: negative
attitudes of the farmers, as shown by their lack of interest in the program; lack of
AI Technicians to service all the demands of farmers in the far flung areas; no
accessible roads to the farm, which limits the services of technicians to the
farmers; lack of information dissemination to farmers due to limited access and
IEC materials; and insufficient program support by the LGUs due to budgetary
constraints and lack of interest of local chief executives on the AI Program. On
the other hand, the problems that were identified by most of the farmers were:
lack of AI Technicians, dystocia or difficulty of giving birth of AI calves due to
oversized and overweight offspring; negative attitudes of animal raisers;
insufficient program support and inaccessible roads to the farms.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusions
Based on the findings the following conclusions are drawn:
1. Generally, the extent of implementation of the Artificial Insemination
Program was moderately implemented with all components to wit, training of AI
technicians, farmer’s classes, government subsidy from the national and LGUs,
and monitoring and evaluation by the DA-CAR, PVOs/CVO and MAOs.
2. Knowledge and skill on artificial insemination technologies and positive
attitudes of the AI Technicians and farmers are important factors that affect the
implementation of the program. Awareness of the program by the intended
beneficiaries equally affects its implementation because the farmers were
motivated to participate. The implementation of the AI program could not have
been started without the presence of government support.
3. Artificial insemination is more advantageous to the farmers and
technicians over the natural breeding because semen is more convenient for them
to handle than bringing the bull to the animals for breeding considering the terrain
of the Cordillera Region. The offspring of artificial insemination have better
quality and manageable behavior due to upgraded breeds, which provides the
farmers more benefits of higher income.
4.The problems identified by the AI technicians and farmers which were
perceived as moderately serious are: negative attitudes of the farmers, lack of AI
technicians, inadequate accessible roads to the farms, lack of information
dissemination, insufficient support from the LGUs, dystocia or difficulty of giving
birth due to oversized and overweight offspring. It may be inferred that the
implementation of the AI program is difficult because these problems are threats
to the sustainability of the program.
Recommendations
The following recommendations are formulated based on the findings and
conclusions:
1. Artificial Insemination Program need to be enhanced. The provision of
training for AI Technicians and farmers classes, government supports and more
intensive monitoring and evaluation should always go together in order the full
implementation of the program and attain its objective.
2. Trainings should be provided for the devolved LGU technicians to increase
their knowledge and skills on the technology for them to effectively and
efficiently deliver the needed services to the farmers.
3. The LGUs should support the AI Technicians by providing them with
additional incentives, transportation and incidental expenses. LGUs should also
hire additional and competent Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs).
4. Semen and liquid nitrogen and other AI paraphernalia should always be
made available by the DA-PCC and DA-BAI.
5. The identified problems should be addressed in order to ensure the
sustainability of the program. These problems are threats to the implementation of
the program.
6. To come up with a better assessment of project/programs quantifiable
baseline data should be established before a new project is implemented in order
to determine the changes brought about by each project.
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for Sustainable Adoption of Integrated Pest Management by Cordillera
Vegetable Farmers. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Benguet State
University, La Trinidad, Benguet.
BATUGAN, S.S. 2000. Assessment of the Acceptability of the Philippine
Carabao Center Upgrading Program (Artificial Insemination Technology)
in Mindanao. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, CLSU, Nueva Ecija,
Philippines.
BRAGADO, R.B. 2004. Assessment of the Livestock Industry in Mountain
Province.
BAS (Bureau of Agricultural Statistics) 2000, 2006 & 2008. Livestock & Poultry
Survey.
CRUZ, L.C. September 22, 2009. Growth Revolution Magazine. Dairy
Biotechnology Strategy. PCC, Muňoz, Nueva Ecija.
CRUZ, L.C. 2000. Reproductive Biotechniques in Water Buffaloes. Philippine
Carabao Center, Department of Agriculture, DCIEC Bldg., NIA, EDSA,
Quezon City.
CULHI, J.R. (Village Based AI Technician) 2011. Interview.
DA-RFU-CAR. 1998-2008. List of Trained AI Technicians in CAR.
DAVALOS, I. DC. 2006. Use of In-store Dryer by the Bureau of Post harvest
Research Extension-Assisted Cooperatives in the Philippines. CLSU,
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Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.
ESTRADA, J.E. 2005. Senate bill # 516. An Act Providing for a Magna Carta of
Agricultural Development Workers. 14th Congress of the Republic of the
Philippines. First Regular Session.
FAO Statistics 2007. Carabao Population.
Food and Fertilizer Technology Center Newsletter 153, September 2003.
FFTC Publication Data Base. 2010. Sustainable Management & Utilization of
Forage Resources.
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JAMSAWAT, V. 1998. The Acceptability of Artificial Insemination of Cattle and
Buffaloes in Khonkaen Province, Thailand. Unpublished Doctoral
Dissertation. Munoz, Nueva Ecija.
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Attitude Toward the National Multiple Cropping Production Program in
Three Selected Provinces of the Philippines. Unpublished Master’s Thesis.
UPLB, College, Laguna.
LIMSON, P. (UNAIP National Coordinator) 2009. Interview.
MAMUAD, F.V., ATABAY, H.V., VENTURINA, R.S., HIBONADA, E.C.,
ENCARNACION, SANTIAHO, R.R. & ROQUEL, M.M. 2008.
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Ecija.
MANDAC, T.D. 1982. Landless Workers and Rice Farmers: Peasant Subclasses
Under Agrarian Reform in Two Philippine Village. International Rice
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NABC (National Artificial Breeding Center). 2008. Bureau of Animal Industry.
Visayas Avenue, Quezon City.
PAGADUT, B.B. (Regional Artificial Insemination Coordinator), 2008.
Interview.
PAGTAN, A.Y. 2006. Participatory Approach Employed in the Formulation and
Implementation of Barangay Natural Resource Management Plan in
Benguet, Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Benguet State University, La
Trinidad, Benguet.
PALENGLENG, L.M. 2009. Factors Affecting the Implementation of Farmer
Field school on Integrated Pest Management in the Cordillera
Administrative Region. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Benguet State
University, La Trinidad, Benguet.
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Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Program (ARISP) Beneficiaries in
Region I.
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SCHWASS, R.H. & ALLO, A.V. 1982. Professional Requirements of the
Extension Worker. In Training the Extension Worker, FFTC Extension
Bulletin no. 173. Taipei, Taiwan ROC.
TESORO, R. B. 2002. Influence of Devolution in the Implementation of
Agricultural Programs in Abra. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. Benguet
State University, La Trinidad, Benguet.
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Extension Workers in Malaysia.
TOMAR, N.S. 1984. Artificial Insemination, Reproduction in Cattle and
Buffaloes. Saroz, Prakashan, 646 Katra, Allahabad 2, U.P. India.
TUBANA, C.S. 2000. An Assessment of the Agricultural Development Programs
of Selected Government and Non-Government Organization in the
Province of Abra. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, BSU, La Trinidad,
Benguet.
Ginintuang Masaganang Ani-Livestock Program-Unified Artificial Insemination
Program, 2007-2009.
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Resources. Tokyo: McGraw-Hill International Book Company.
APPENDIX A
Sample Letter to the Respondents
Republic of the Philippines
Benguet State University
GRADUATE SCHOOL
La Trinidad, Benguet
April 10, 2010
Provincial Veterinarian/Municipal Agriculturist
Municipality of ______________ Province of _____________
Dear Ma’am/Sir:
The undersigned is currently working in a research entitled “ASSESSMENT OF
THE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION PROGRAM ON BUFFALO IN THE
CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION” as one of the requirements
for the degree Doctor of Philosophy at Benguet State University, La Trinidad,
Benguet.
I decided to conduct the research with anticipation that the results can contribute
in the improvement and development of upcoming activities of the Artificial
Insemination Program with mandate to improve and upgrade the existing native
breeds of Buffalo.
In this regard, I earnestly request your assistance through the AI Technicians to
accomplish the questionnaires and assist the identified farmers to also accomplish
the appropriate questionnaires. The data to be gathered will serve as vital inputs in
my study. Rest assured that your answers will be treated with utmost
confidentiality.
Respectfully yours,
(Sgd) ROSEMARIE B. TESORO
Student Researcher
APPENDIX B
Questionnaire for AI Technicians/VBAITs
Part I.
A. Socio-demographic profile
1. Name ________________
2. Address______________
3. Sex: ( ) Female
( ) Male
4. Age ( of last birthday)__________
5. Marital Status: ( ) Single
( ) Divorce
( ) Married
( ) Widow
6. Educational Attainment:
( ) Certificate
( ) MS
( ) Diploma ( ) Ph.D
( ) BS
( ) Others (specify) ______ .
7. Field of Specialization in degree: ______________
8. Position in the government office (if employed):_____________
Are you a Village Based AI Technician (VBAIT)? ( ) Yes ( ) No
9. For government employee, what is the current designation in office: as
coordinator
( ) RAIC
( ) GIP
( ) PAIC
( ) Others, specify
_________________________
10. Length of service in the government:
( ) 20 years up
( ) 1-4 years
( ) 10-20 years
( ) 5-10 years
Others, specify _____________
11. For Village Based AI Technicians: How many years as VBAIT?
( ) 10 years up
( ) 1-4 years
( ) 5-9 years
( ) Others (specify) ___________
B. AI Experiences:
1. AI related training attended:
( ) AI training course
( ) Embryo transfer
( ) Semen processing
( ) Others (specify) ________________
2. Year attended: ___________
3. Number of years you had been conducting Artificial Insemination: ______
years
Part II.
A. Extent of implementation of AI Program by AI Technicians. Please rate the
following using the scale.
3.0
Fully
Implemented
2.0
Moderately
Implemented
1.0
Poorly
Implemented
PROGRAM COMPONENT
HOW DO YOU FEEL?
3 2 1
AI Technicians Training
Government Subsidy
Non-Government Agency
• AI paraphernalia
• Cash incentives
Local Government Units
• Travelling allowance
• Manpower resources
Monitoring & Evaluation
• DA-RFU-CAR
• PVO
B. Factors affecting the Artificial Insemination Program on Buffalo:
I. Technical knowledge and skills in Artificial Insemination
Do you have appropriate knowledge in inseminating buffalo?
( ) Yes
( ) No
Do you have knowledge on the equipment and facilities used in AI?
( ) Yes ( ) No
Do you have knowledge on the practical way to thaw semen in the field?
( ) Yes
( ) No
Do you have knowledge on buffalo synchronization?
( ) Yes
( ) No
Do you have knowledge in thawing semen in the field? ( ) yes ( ) no
Do you have knowledge in semen evaluation? ( ) yes ( ) no
Do you have knowledge in the preservation and storage of processed
semen in straw? ( ) Yes ( ) No
Do you have knowledge to what are the best storage/preserving semen at
present? ( ) Yes
( ) No
Do you have knowledge to what is the best preserving temperature?
( ) yes ( ) no
Do you have knowledge on the types of liquid nitrogen tank used in storing
semen in straw? ( ) Yes ( ) No
Do you have knowledge to what capacity of field tank commonly used while
doing insemination on buffalo? ( ) yes ( ) no
Do you have knowledge in maintaining liquid nitrogen tank to maintain the
higher motility of sperm? ( ) Yes ( ) No
II. Attitudes of AI Technicians towards AI Program
Please read each statement below, check the appropriate number that you
think corresponds to your feeling.
4.0 - strongly agree
3.0 – agree
2.0 – disagree 1.0 – strongly agree
ATTITUDES
HOW DO YOU FEEL?
4 3 2 1
Confidence on the knowledge & skills in the
implementation of AI Program
Willingness to accept suggestion
Satisfaction to the job.
Supportive
to
clients
Enjoyment in AI implementation.
Enthusiasm/Passionate to the job.
Tiresome doing the job
Good working relationship with supervisor
III. National Government Agency (NGA’s) and Local Government Unit
(LGU’s) Support for AI Implementation
Please read each statement below, check the appropriate number that you
think corresponds to your feeling:
Fully provided (FP)
- 3.0
Moderately provided (MP)
-
2.0
Poorly provided (PP)
-
1.0
SUPPORTS LGUs
NGAs
4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1
Provision
of
personnel
Adequacy
of
AI
supplies
Provision
of
incentives
Trainings
for
AI
Technicians
Transportation/travel
allowance
Conduct
of
field
trips/lakbay
aral
Program
advocacy
information
Part IV. Advantages/benefits from using the AI Program:
Please read each statement below then mark (x) the appropriate number which
corresponds to your feeling. The equivalent as follows:
Strongly agree
3.50 - 4.00 Agree 2.59 – 3.49
Disagree 1.50- 2.49 strongly disagree 1.00 – 1.49
ADVANTAGES/BENEFITS
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT?
4
3 2
1
Higher
income/production
More convenient/suitable in semen handling
More manageable behavior of animals
Part V. Problems encountered by AI Technicians/VBAITs
Below are the problems encountered in the implementation of the Artificial
Insemination Program on Buffalo. Kindly rate the seriousness of these problems.
3.0 - Highly serious 2.0-Moderately serious 1.0-Not serious
HOW DO YOU FEEL
STATEMENTS
ABOUT?
3
2
1
Negative attitude of animal raisers
Lack of AI Technicians
Not accessible road going to the farm
Lack of info dissemination to farmers
Insufficient
program
support
APPENDIX C
Questionnaire for farmers
Part I.
A. Socio-demographic Profile
1. Name ________________
2. Address______________
3. Sex: ( ) Female ( ) Male
4. Age: __________
5. Marital Status: ( ) Single
( ) Divorce
( ) Married
( ) Widow
6. Educational Attainment:
( ) Elementary
( ) College
( ) High School ( ) Others (specify) ________
.
1. Approximate family income per annum:
( ) More than 10,000.00 pesos
( ) 5,000.00 – 10,000.00 pesos
( ) below 5, 000.00 pesos
2. Other source of income: (please identify)
_______________________________
3. Number of buffalo raised: ________ heads
4. Number of years raising buffalo. ________ years
5. Roles of buffaloes: ( ) draft
( ) milk
( ) meat
( ) Others, specify ______________
Part II. Extent of implementation of AI Program by farmers. Please rate the
following using the scale.
3.0 - Fully
Implemented
2.0 - Moderately
Implemented
1.0 - Poorly
Implemented
PROGRAM COMPONENT
HOW DO YOU FEEL?
3 2 1
Farmers Class
Government Subsidy:
National Government Agency
• AI paraphernalia
Local Government Units
• Manpower resources
Monitoring & Evaluation
• DA-RFU-CAR
• PVO
Part III. Factors affecting the AI Program on Buffalo.
1. Awareness and availment of the program
1. Have you heard of the Artificial Insemination Program? ( ) Yes ( ) No
2. Are there AI technicians in your locality? ( ) Yes ( ) No
3. Did you consult you technicians about your animals? ( ) Yes ( ) No
4. Have you requested technical assistance? ( ) Yes
( ) No
5. What other agency aside from your municipal technician you come in
contact for consultation?
( ) DA-RFU-CAR staff
( ) BAI staff ( ) PVO staff
( ) others, specify __________________________
2. Technical Knowledge and Skills Factors
a. Knowledge and skills on Feeding Management
1. Do you have knowledge about feeding practices? ( ) Yes ( ) No
2. Do you adopt any feeding practices for your animals? ( ) Yes ( ) No
3. Do you give concentrate mix to your animal? ( ) Yes ( ) No
4. Do you have knowledge on farm-by-products? ( ) Yes ( ) No)
5. Do you have knowledge of forage crops? ( ) Yes ( ) No
6. Do you have knowledge on how to feed your buffalo? ( ) Yes ( ) No
7. Do you have knowledge about colostrum feeding to newly born calf?
( ) Yes
( ) No
b. Knowledge and skills on environmental management
1. Do you have knowledge on environmental management affecting your
buffalo? ( ) Yes
( ) No
2. Do you have knowledge on the signs of high temperature?
( ) Yes ( ) No
3. Do you have knowledge to why you bath your buffalo?
( ) Yes
( ) No
4. Do you have knowledge in animal illness? ( ) Yes
( ) No
5. Do you have knowledge on the signs of illness that are observed
( ) Yes ( ) No
6. Do you have some knowledge in controlling or treatment of diseases?
( ) Yes
( ) No
7. Do you have knowledge on the prevention to be used? ( )Yes ( ) No
c. Knowledge and skills on Animal Reproduction
1. Do you have knowledge what is the age of puberty of buffalo?
( ) Yes
( ) No
2. Do you observed heat period? ( ) Yes ( ) No
3. Do you recognize in heat buffalo? ( ) Yes ( ) No
4. Do you recognize the frequency of buffalo in heat? ( ) Yes ( ) No
5. Do you recognize pregnant buffalo? ( ) Yes
( ) No
6. Do you recognize the signs of a pregnant buffalo ( ) Yes ( ) No
7. Can you recognize a buffalo going to give birth)? ( )Yes ( ) No
8. Do you know the signs of near parturition? ( )Yes ( ) No
3. Attitudes towards AI Program
Please read each statement below, check the appropriate number that you
think corresponds to your feeling.
4.0 - strongly agree
3.0 – agree
2.0 – disagree 1.0 – strongly agree
ITEMS
HOW DO YOU FEEL?
4 3 2 1
Confident to the program
Courageous
asking
question
Satisfaction
to
the
program
Knowledgeable to the AI program.
Good
working
relationship
Part IV. Advantages/benefits from using the AI Program:
Please read each statement below then mark (x) the appropriate number which
corresponds to your feeling. The equivalent as follows:
Strongly
agree
- 4.0
Disagree
- 2.0
Agree
- 3.0
Strongly
disagree
- 1.0
HOW DO YOU FEEL
ADVANTAGES/BENEFITS
ABOUT?
4
3
2
1
Higher
income/production
More convenient/suitable in semen handling
More manageable behavior of animals
Other benefits, (specify)
______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Part V. Problems encountered by farmers
Please enumerate problems you encountered in AI Program
1._______________________________________________________________
2._______________________________________________________________
3._______________________________________________________________
4._______________________________________________________________
5._______________________________________________________________
ACRONYM
AEWs
Agricultural Extension Workers
AI
Artificial Insemination
AIP
Artificial Insemination Program
BAI
Bureau of Animal Industry
DA
Department of Agriculture
GMA-LP Ginintuang
Masaganang Ani-Livestock Program
LGUs
Local Government Units
LN2
Liquid Nitrogen Tank
PAIC
Provincial Artificial Insemination Coordinator
PCC
Philippine Carabao Center
PVO
Provincial Veterinary Office
RAIC
Regional Artificial Insemination Coordinator
UNAIP
Unified National Artificial Insemination Program
VBAITs
Village Based Artificial Insemination Technicians
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
The author was born on the 9th of September in Barangay Pawa,
Lagangilang, Abra to Mr. Esmenio Blasé Tesoro and Mrs. Serenia Nisperos
Besas. She finished her elementary and high school education at Holy Cross
School, Lagangilang, Abra with honors in 1977 and 1981, respectively. She
finished her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Animal Husbandry and
minor in Agronomy in March 1985 at Abra State Institute of Sciences and
Technology and graduated honor student. Also finished her Master in Public
Administration on March 2002 at Benguet State University, La Trinidad Benguet
with her study “The Influence of Devolution in the Implementation of the
Agricultural Programs in Abra.”
After graduation in college, she was hired as sales manager by the ASIST
College Department Cooperative while waiting for a more stable and permanent
position in said institution. Unfortunately, for one and a half years she waited to
no avail so she decided to apply to another agency. She worked as a contracted
staff at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Lagangilang,
Abra for less than one year before deciding to apply at the Department of
Agriculture, a national agency with office address at Calaba, Bangued, Abra. She
was hired as Agricultural Technologist on August 1989 with the Municipality of
Baay-Licuan as her area of coverage. Her transfer to the Municipality of Tineg
was the effect of devolution caused by the varied perceptions of the local chief
executives relative to the local government code, which to them is a loaded gun
that could not yet prove a panacea for their organization to go autonomous.
Since the implementation of the local government code, the shortcomings,
discontentment and dissimilarities of analysis among the key players, a reduction
of benefits and unfair distribution of resources pushed her to seek for a better and
greener pasture in other countries year 1995. She believed on the saying “pera na
naging bato pa” when her working visa for Japan was denied. Amidst such
disappointment she still hopes to pursue her desire to earn yen if it’s the will of
God but the researcher had already entrusted everything to the Lord. Hence, to
overcome her frustration and not to be bored and jobless, she applied at the
Department of Agriculture, Cordillera Administrative Region and assigned at the
Planning and Monitoring Division from 1999-2003, then transferred to the
livestock division where she was designated the planning/report officer of said
sector from CY 2006 – 2011 and the Regional Genetic Improvement Program
Coordinator. From March 15, 2010 to present, the researcher was designated as
the Provincial Coordination Officer (PCO) for Abra of the Second Cordillera
Highland Agricultural Resource Management Project (CHARMP2), a special
project of the Department of Agriculture; and likewise, designated as the
Provincial Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) of the Department
of Agriculture for the said Province.
Document Outline
- Assessment of the Artificial InseminationProgram on Buffalo in the Cordillera Administrative Region
- BIBLIOGRAPHY
- TABLE OF CONTENTS
- INTRODUCTION
- METHODOLOGY
- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
- CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- LITERATURE CITED
- APPENDIX