From sky to sow: assessing the impact of drone-enabled semen delivery on pig fertility outcomes in rural Rwanda.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Improving livestock productivity is vital for food security and rural incomes in Rwanda. Pig farming offers rapid income potential but is constrained by limited access to timely, high-quality artificial insemination (AI) services. To address this, the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), Zipline, and USAID's Orora Wihaze project piloted an aerial logistics model to distribute pig semen via drones, combined with training and awareness activities. This study evaluates the program's impact on AI outcomes among veterinarians, Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs), and farmers across eight districts. METHODS: A pre-post design with repeated cross-sectional surveys was conducted over 6&#x202f;months. Baseline and endline surveys included veterinarians (&#x202f;=&#x202f;257/221), CAHWs (&#x202f;=&#x202f;310/240), and farmers (&#x202f;=&#x202f;233). Data covered AI success rates, procedural challenges, and economic outcomes. Regression models identified predictors of AI success, and an input-output analysis estimated broader economic impact. RESULTS: AI performance improved significantly, especially among CAHWs, whose success rates rose from 48.8 to 74.8% (&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05). A binomial GLM confirmed higher odds of success at endline (OR&#x202f;=&#x202f;1.51, 95% CI: 1.23-1.87;&#x202f;=&#x202f;0.00012). Technical and procedural failures declined, and cold chain and expired semen issues decreased, indicating improved skills and logistics. The program resulted in 4,489 inseminations and 28,553 piglets, with 4,893 attributable to program-driven gains. Farmers earned $320,075, of which 17.1% stemmed from the intervention. With an implementation cost of $191,149, the direct ROI was 67.5%. Including indirect and induced effects, total impact reached $2.3 million. DISCUSSION: Drone-based semen delivery, paired with capacity-building, can improve reproductive outcomes, enhance last-mile delivery, and strengthen rural economies.