Animal traction in eastern Upper Volta : a technical, economic and institutional analysis

After an initial overview of small farming systems in the region that use traditional hoe cultivation and donkey and oxen traction systems, a historical and institutional evaluation of animal traction programs is conducted, covering prior programs as well as the 1974-80 EORD program. The technical impact of animal traction is then reviewed, with reference to the purchase, sale, training, and maintenance of draft animals, their use in tilling and transport, their estimated production effects, and their impact on household labor allocation. Income and cash flow analyses are used to evaluate the economics of hoe cultivation and donkey and oxen traction, and the medium-term financial impact of animal traction is assessed on the basis of 10-year income projections. A final chapter summarizes the report"s key findings, specifies the main constraints to the EORD program, and recommends changes to improve future programs both in the region and elsewhere in West Africa. It is concluded that the vital requirements for program success are acceptance of a 10- to 20-year time span and institutionalization of a farming systems research program tailored to local circumstances.