A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Usage of Sexed in-vitro Fertilization Embryo Transfer Technology in Kenya
Fridah G. Lawrence, Henry Mutembei, Job Lagat, John Mburu, and Okeyo Mwai
Research Paper I Published September,2015
Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology
ABSTRACT
In Kenya, good quality heifers are in high demand but are
generally unavailable and expensive. Innovative usage of
sexed semen in an in-vitro embryo production (IVEP)
system has a potential to help deliver appropriate cattle
genotypes to farmers efficiently. Sexed In-vitro
Fertilization Embryo Transfer (SIFET), which involves both
IVEP and embryo transfer (ET), is a breeding technology
which ensures a 90% success rate of achieving the desired
sex of a calf. While
Sifet technology is potentially beneficial, its costs
and benefits have not been locally assessed. A cost benefit
analysis was done to assess the economic feasibility of
SIFET for commercial utilization in Kenya. Our results
indicate that SIFET technology is a feasible option for
potential investors. SIFET could benefit cattle farmers
through availability of cattle of preferred sex (male calves
for beef and female calves for dairy production) and better
matching of genotype to farmers’ production conditions. Such
technologies can enhance regional trade in cattle breeding
stock due to increased value and demand for Boran cows and
heifers as donors and surrogates.
Key Words: In Vitro Embryo Production, Cows,
Cost analysis, Breeding, Kenya.
- Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology (JASFT)
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- Journal of Scientific Research and Essays (JSRE)
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- Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (RJET)
- Pearl Journal of Management, Social Science and Humanities (PJMSSH)