uganda02 workshop report draftversion

7/31/2019 Uganda02 Workshop Report Draftversion

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International Workshop

On

____________________________

Modernising AgricultureVisions and Technologies for

Animal Tractionand

Conservation Agriculture ________

Held at

Sunset Hotel & Conference Centre

Jinja, Uganda

19 th - 25 th May 2002

UgandaNetwork for AnimalT raction andConservation

Agriculture

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ACT


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WORKSHOP REPORT

International Workshop

Modernising Agriculture

Visions and Technologies for

Animal Traction

and

Conservation Agriculture

Report prepared and edited by

Dr John E. Ashburner (FAO, Ghana)

Martin Bwalya (ACT, Zimbabwe)

Engr. Wilfred Odogola (AEATRI, Uganda)

Jinja, Uganda

19 th - 25 th May 2002


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Foreword

The use of animals, particularly cattle anddonkeys as a source of farm power is stillextensive in Africa and can only be expectedto spread further and get more intensive. Over 25% of cultivated land in Africa is workedwith animal traction. Farming is still largelysmallholder in character with numerous small plots, the majority only achieving a subsistence production.In the face of the general stagnation or declining agricultural performance in Africa,attributed to degradation in the naturalresource base soil and water, it is imperativethat we re-think the way we farm. A radicalrevolution is now vital and there areconsiderable efforts being made throughout thecontinent to promote conservation agricultureas a sustainable means to alleviate povertywhilst conserving the natural resources of theregion. Such an approach has already achieveda dramatic impact in the Americas and inBrazil alone, it is estimated that conservationagriculture is now practised on some 17million hectares.In most areas using animal power, animaltraction remains the lifeline for food securityand reduction of poverty. Animal power is alsoa critical resource in rural and peri-urbantransport with marked social and economic benefits. In the application of conservationagriculture, draft animal power will find a newrole. The time has now arrived to discard thethinking that animal traction implies use of the plough and the practice of conventional tillage.We are challenged to revolutionise the idea of draft animal use and let it be a valuable inputand indeed the source of motivation to applyand adopt widely, the principles of conservation farming.

Various experiences in Africa indicate thattractor and other farm power sources have andwill continue to have an important role in the performance and development of agricultureand indeed the economies in most countries.The workshop, hence, also looked into handand tractor powered tools and equipment

appropriate for Conservation Agricultureapplications.

Successful introduction and consequentadoption of Conservation Agriculture (CA)

depends upon the availability of suitable andappropriate equipment in the country and thefinancial and physical accessibility of farmersto this equipment. While the theory of CA isquickly advancing even in Africa and a wealthof information is already available, the actualintroduction of CA into smallholder farming practices is lagging behind. One importantreason for this is the lack or inaccessibility of equipment. For now, major challenges are inequipment for direct-seeding, weeding or herbicide application and cover crop/mulch

management.For the host country, Uganda, consideration of these matters is timely as the countryimplements its national Plan for the

Modernisation of Agriculture (PMA) and the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) . Itaccordingly welcomed the suggestion to hostan international workshop at Jinja from 19 to25 May, 2002 in order to analyse in depththese matters of both national and internationalconcern.

The joint convenors of the workshop were theUganda Network for Animal Traction and Conservation Agriculture (UNATCA), the

Animal Traction Network for Eastern and Southern Africa (ATNESA), the Food andAgriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO), the Africa Conservation Tillage Network (ACT) and the Deutsche Gesellschaftfr Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ).The workshop was further enhanced byexhibitors of hand-operated, animal drawn and

tractor mounted equipment from Brazil,Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda,Zambia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.It is my pleasure to present below the reportcovering the activities and results of thisworkshop, for which the full proceedingscontaining the complete papers will be published separately.

J.J. Otim Presidential Advisor on Agriculture and

Veterinary Services


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Acknowledgements

The organising committee would like tosincerely thank numerous organisations andcompanies for their contributions to thisworkshop. These are as follows:

Sponsors

For support concerning the workshoporganisation and arrangements:

the National Agricultural ResearchOrganization (NARO):

the German Agency for Technical Co-operation (GTZ)

the Soroti Agricultural Implementsand Machinery ManufacturingCompany Ltd. (SAIMMCO)

For sponsoring participants to the workshop: the Food and Agriculture Organization

of the United Nations (FAO), the Regional Land Management Unit

(RELMA), the Danish Agency for Technical Co-

operation (DANIDA) Trelleborg CIRAD GTZ

For sponsoring and donating equipment to theevent:

SEMEATO, Brazil FITARELLI, Brazil IADEL, Brazil TRITON, Brazil, HSTT, Zimbabwe, Micron, South Africa ZAMWIPE/CFU, Zambia.

Exhibitors

Following companies or organisations participated in the equipment exhibition:

Brazil

SEMEATO: Tractor-mounted

direct planter

FITARELLI: Hand and AnimalTraction direct planters(demonstrated equipment)

IADEL: Ripper/weeder, direct planter, boom sprayer, knife roller for manual and animal traction(demonstrated equipment)

TRITON: Direct planters, boomsprayers for manual and animaltraction (demonstrated equipment)

KNAPIK: Direct planter, wheel- barrow-boom and shielded sprayer

Ghana

Kaddai Engineering: Manual planters

Kenya

Triple W Engineering: Animaldraft planter and cultivator

KENDAT: Harnesses and panniersfor donkey, animal mulch planter

Malawi

Chitedze Research Station:Wooden cart

South Africa Micron Sprayers: Rotary nozzle

sprayers

Uganda

Design Centre YWAM: Manual planter, donkey cart, harness,cultivators

SAIMMCO: Animal drawn plow,cultivator, cart, scoop

Zambia

CFU: ZAMWIPE: Weed wiper

Zimbabwe

HSTT: Animal tractioncultivators

Commercial Manufacturers Present

The following commercial equipmentmanufacturers where present at the workshop:

Brazil

SEMEATO: Andr Verardi FITARELLI: Ataides Fitarelli


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IADEL: Elias Beltrame TRITON: Fausto Centofante ZENITH: Tiago Bombasaro

Ghana

Kaddai Engineering: AppiahKwame

Kenya

Triple W Engineering: Thomas B.Muckle

South Africa

Micron Spayers: Mike Burgess

Uganda

SAIMMCO: M.B. Asubo

Zambia

ZAMWIPE: Dutch Gibson

Zimbabwe

HSTT: Ivan K. Savala ZIMPLOW: Vimal Naik and Tony

Rowland SRP Marketing - BAIN New

Holland: Peter Hickman

List of abbreviations

ACT Africa Conservation Tillage Network

AT Animal TractionATNESA Animal Traction Network for East and Southern AfricaBASED Broadening Agricultural Services for Extension and Development Programme

CA Conservation AgricultureCIRAD Centre Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le DveloppementFAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

GTZ Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Technische ZusammenarbeitMOLG Ministry of Local Government (Uganda)

NAADS National Agricultural Advisory Service (Uganda) NARO National Agricultural Research Organisation (Uganda) NEPAD New Partnership for Africas Development

PACODEF Poverty Alleviation and Community Development Forum (Uganda)PEAP Poverty Eradication Action Plan (Uganda)PMA Plan for the Modernisation of Agriculture (Uganda)

RELMA Regional Land Management Unit of SIDASAIMMCO Soroti Agricultural Implements and Machinery Manufacturing Company Ltd.SG2000 Sasakawa Global 2000

SIDA Swedish International Development Agency

UNATCA Uganda Network for Animal Traction and Conservation Agriculture


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Table of Contents


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OVERVIEW,

OPENING CEREMONY,

INTRODUCTION

and KEYNOTE PAPERS

Paste a scanned photo here

of Plenary or Opening Sessions


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Workshop Report: Visions and Technologies for AT and CA

2

Overview of the Workshop

This was the first international workshop tolink themes concerning both animal traction

and conservation agriculture. It was organised jointly by ATNESA, FAO-ACT and theUgandan National Agricultural ResearchOrganisation (Ministry of Agriculture, AnimalIndustry and Fisheries). The workshopcombined ATNESAs plan for a thematicworkshop and plans by FAO-ACT to organisean international workshop on conservationagriculture equipment.The main theme of the workshop was Modernising agriculture: Visions and Technologies for Animal Traction and Conservation Agriculture .The sub-themes were:

i. Work animal nutrition, health andwelfare management

ii. Socio-cultural and Gender issues inAnimal Traction and ConservationAgriculture

iii. Animal powered transport in ruraland peri-urban areas

iv. The role of Animal Traction in thecontext of Conservation Agriculture

v. Equipment for ConservationAgriculture

vi. Organisation of machinery use andother farm services.

vii. Entrepreneurship development inmanufacturing, marketing andservice provision.

viii. Micro-finance in Animal Tractionand Conservation Agriculturedevelopment

ix. Policy issues on Animal Traction andConservation Agriculture

The workshop addressed the themes focusingon animal traction use in conservationagriculture and rural transport and alsoconsidered the needs for conservationagriculture equipment in all the main power source categories. The workshop reviewedexperiences and lessons on the themes fromthe over 120 participants who attended theworkshop. A special selection of conservationagriculture equipment from Brazil and from anumber of countries within Africa, wereexhibited at the workshop. Some of theequipment was also demonstrated.

Participants included practitioners, regionaland international specialists involved inresearch, rural development, training andextension for Animal Traction (AT) andConservation Agriculture (CA). Also presentwere private small and large scale farmequipment manufacturers from Brazil, Uganda,Zimbabwe and Ghana.

Workshop Objectives

The workshops main objectives was to Develop Animal Traction and Conservation

Agriculture Strategies for Modernizing Agriculture through Multi-Sectoral Interaction and Experience Sharing. The

specific objectives were:i. Identify, analyse and consolidateinformation and experiences on ATand CA for the region

ii. Facilitate contacts between Africanand Brazilian CA implementmanufacturers and suppliers

iii. Elaborate on issues and elements onthe roles of AT and CA in themodernization of Agriculture in theRegion and Uganda

iv. Propose appropriate strategies andactivities on AT and CA

Workshop Procedure Interactive discussions, facilitated by aspecialized moderator, characterized the process adopted in addressing the setworkshop objectives. The process involved plenary presentation of three keynote papersand a number of thematic papers, a poster andimplement exhibition, field visits, groupdiscussions, field demonstration of some of theequipment and intensive group discussions.The workshop also facilitated numerousinformal contacts and discussions and evening programmes where participants exchangedinformation. The workshop ended with thedevelopment of strategic plans andrecommendations in the general context of thesub-region and other also specifically focusedon Uganda.

Problem analysis and intensive discussionswere undertaken in small, multi-disciplinarygroups while specialised output-oriented teams

tackled the key emerging issues. The workshopidentified issues and practical actions for


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Opening Ceremony

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strategic interventions in AT and CAadvancement.

Official Opening and Keynote paperpresentations

Three keynote papers were presented. Thethree, respectively, addressed animal traction,conservation agriculture equipment and theUgandan animal traction and conservationagriculture status and issues. The keynote papers highlighted key concerns and issues inthe development and promotion/application of animal traction and conservation agriculture contributing to the modernization of agriculture in the region. Additionally,eighteen thematic papers were presented infive sessions, each focused on one element in

the workshop theme.The workshop was arranged in a total of sevensessions. The first and second sessions weredevoted to the official opening ceremony and presentation of the keynote papers.

Three other sessions involved field visits,implement demonstration and the implement- poster exhibition. Following are some briefs onthe sessions:

Thematic Session One: Equipment for Conservation Agriculture

Focusing on conservation agricultureequipment, four papers were presented duringthis session. These covered general status andtrends in farm mechanisation in general andspecifically conservation agriculturemechanisation in Africa. The papers alsoaddressed specifically CA equipment insmallholder and in largescale farming systems.A paper was also presented on manufacturing,marketing and provision of back-up services inan African scenario.

Thematic Session Two: Machinery Demonstration

A selected number of animal and hand powered CA equipment was demonstratedduring this session. Those demonstratedincluded the Fitarelli animal drawn direct- planter, the IADEL knife-roller, the triton pulland animal drawn sprayers. Thedemonstrations were undertaken at the Sourceof the River Nile agricultural showground.

Thematic Session Three: Animal traction inthe context of conservation agriculture

The session addressed animal issues in animal power use and management. The papers presented also addressed issues on integrationof livestock in CA cropping systems and alsothe use of animal power in rural and peri-urban

transport.Thematic Session Four: Policy Issues on

Animal Traction and Conservation Agriculture

The three papers presented in this sessionaddressed policy experiences and issues insustained input (farm equipment) supplysystems; the benefits of a liberalised anddecentralised development model in enhancingfarmers accessibility to farm equipment.

Thematic Session Five: Entrepreneurship Development in Manufacturing, Marketing and Service Provision

The session covered issues on entrepreneurshipand micro-enterprise, including the role andempowerment of rural and peri-urban artisanin the development and supply of animaltraction and conservation agriculturetechnologies (hardware). A special paper which highlighted elements for conduciveenvironment for internationally operatingimplement manufacturers and suppliers was

also presented.Thematic Session Six: Organisation of

Machinery Use and Services

Two papers highlighting farm levelexperiences and applications of private multi-farm use as a way of enhancing farmersaccessibility to machinery services were presented. The papers were presented in thecontext of two case studies; one from theLimpopo province (formally NorthernProvince) of South Africa and the other fromnorthern Ghana.Thematic Session Seven: Micro-finance inanimal traction and conservation agriculturedevelopment

In this session a paper on experiences of aWorld Bank supported project on micro-financing in Uganda was presented. The paper highlighted issues and concerns relevant toapplications of animal traction andconservation agriculture in smallholder farming systems and, in particular, the role andrelated factors that would enable micro-finance play its role in enhancing farmers financial


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accessibility to farm inputs including draftanimals and equipment.

Thematic Session Eight: Equipment and Poster Exhibition

This involved an exhibition of farmimplements, ranging from hand jab-planters totractor drawn high-tech no-till planters. Thesecame from Brazil and also others from anumber of countries in the region. Most of theequipment related to conservation agriculture.There were, however, also a number of ruraltransport carts and other conventional farmequipment.

On the other side, over fifteen attractive andinformative posters were exhibited. Variousinstitutions and organisations present alsodistributed an assortment of informationsheets, books, flyers and posters.

Workshop Discussion Sessions

Brief plenary discussions were held at the endof each thematic session to both clarify issuesraised in the presentation and beginning toidentify and focus the emerging concerns.Additional to these, the workshop had threemain plenary discussion sessions, whichfollowed small group work discussion. Three

sessions of small group work discussions wereheld.After the presentation and some discussion inthe first one and half days, the participantswent into smaller groups to identify emergingissues along the workshops themes and inrelation to what policies, strategies and actionswould be required to enhance farm levelapplication (adoption) of animal traction andconservation agriculture.

In the second session of group work, the participants went further to analyse specificidentified issues. This involved identificationof constraints and opportunities in relation tospecific circumstances in the region.The third and final session of group work cameon the last day of the workshop. In this session,the following issues were noted as havingemerged in the proceedings of the workshop:

- animal powered transport in rural and peri-urban areas

- the role of animal traction in the context

of conservation agriculture

- equipment for conservation agriculture awareness in Uganda and beyond

- organisation of machinery use and other farm services multi-farm use

- entrepreneurship development in

manufacturing, marketing and service provision policy issues- micro-finance in animal traction and

conservation agriculture development.

Participants were divided into smaller groupsalong these six issues. Using a flowchartframework provided, the groups further analysed the six issues (each group dealingwith one issue), identified at most three priority areas and made recommendations bothfor general application by the various partnersin the regions and some specific to Uganda.

Field visits

This was a whole day event designed to expose participants to real-life scenarios andexperiences (case studies) so as to ensure feet-on-the-ground analysis and also to providelearning experiences. Three visits werearranged and participants selected one of their interest. These were:i. a visit to Kawanda Agriculture Research

Institute (KARI) and the Agriculture

Engineering and AppropriateTechnology Research Institute(AEATRI Namalele) and MakerereUniversity all located in Kampala.

ii. a visit to eastern Uganda (Tororo) wherethe group was able to see farmer fieldsand farming operations. This alsoincluded a visit to the one-stop-centre inIganga.

iii. to Soroti and Kumi where the groupvisited SAIMMCO the sole largescalemanufacturer of animal drawnimplements in Uganda. The group alsovisited a local blacksmith involved infabrication of various steel tools andfarm implement parts. After see a farmer group using draft animals in ploughing,the group proceeded to the Steel RollingMills Company on the outskirts of Jinja.

Details of the field visits are presented later inthis report.


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Opening Ceremony

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An important element of the workshop will beCA equipment, visible in the exhibition andfield demonstration, but also in the presence of manufacturers, representing the privatecommercial sector. The full integration of all

stakeholders, from the farming, public and private sectors is the key for successfulagricultural development. We are therefore proud that in this workshop we can welcomeequipment manufacturers for the desiredmodernisation of agriculture, not only fromUganda, but also from abroad, namely fromBrazil and several African countries, reflectingthe South-to-South co-operation in a veryvisible way.

Honourable Minister, on behalf of FAO, I amhappy to officially announce that much of theequipment being exhibited during thisconference will actually remain in Uganda andwill undergo adaptive testing in various agro-ecological zones of the country. It is achallenge to all those scientists that will behandling the equipment to be able to generateuseful information that will directly feed intoresearch, extension and manufacturinginstitutions and collaborators in Uganda and beyond. In this context the collaboration of the present manufactures who have made a specialeffort to get their equipment in time to Jinjaand who have even donated part of theequipment shown to the workshop, meritsspecial mentioning as it is an important part of the commitment to the success of this event.FAO hopes that the workshop will lead tofruitful discussions and produce the expectedresults to improve the rural livelihoods inAfrica. With those few words, I wish you allsuccessful deliberations and a happy stay inthis fascinating country.

Opening Speech by the Guest of Honour

The Honourable Fabias Byaruhanga,Minister of State for Agriculture,

(Representing the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries)

Distinguished Delegates,Workshop Convenors,Dear Participants,Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am greatly honoured to officiate in theopening of this very important Internationalworkshop on Modernising Agriculture with particular emphasis on visions andtechnologies for Animal Traction and

Conservation Agriculture.Allow me Mr. Chairman to welcome all of youdistinguished delegates to Uganda and to JinjaTown the source of the Great River Nile. Youare assured of peace and tranquillity while youare deliberating in this workshop. Please, youare cordially invited to visit our rich traditionaltourist sites during your stay in this country.Ladies and gentlemen, Uganda Agriculture, just like in many other developing Africacountries, was invariably affected by political

and economic instability that characterised post independent Africa. In the 1960s theagricultural sector in Uganda grew by 10% per year. However, the sector declineddramatically during 1970s and 1980s as aconsequence of gross economicmismanagement, political and socialdisturbances, price and marketingdisincentives, and shortage of farm inputs.Agricultural sector annual growth thusaveraged minus 2%.When the present Government came to power in 1986, we launched the Economic RecoveryProgramme with the aim of rehabilitating thedilapidated infrastructure and productionsector. Furthermore, Government implementedthe Agricultural Sector AdjustmentProgramme (991-1995) to support financialstabilisation and to promote agriculturalgrowth and diversification. These interventionsresulted into agricultural growth of above 3.7% per annum. Currently the sector contributesabout 42% of GDP; however, it still registers

low farm yields, which are 30%, compared tothe potentials demonstrated by research. Thisis due to low levels of technologies, lack of skills, inadequate extension services and lowfarm gate prices. Consequently 40% of Ugandans are poor with 26% living below thelower poverty line of US$ 15 per month, ascompared to the national par capita of aboutUS$ 330.Government of Uganda recognises thatagricultural sector is still the main source of household livelihood for 85% of the population. Like in most countries in Africa,the economy needs a vibrant agricultural sector


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that provides for food security, raw materialsfor industries, poverty eradication through cashearnings to rural people and ready markets for industrial goods such as fertiliser, herbicides, pesticides and farm equipment including those

for animal traction and conservationagriculture. In order to address the abject poverty in rural areas Government hasdesigned Poverty Eradication Action Plan(PEAP). Modernisation of Agriculture,Primary Health Care, Universal PrimaryEducation and infra-structural development arekey pillars in the plan to eradicate poverty.

The Plan for the Modernisation of Agriculture(PMA) has broad strategies and principlesdesigned to transform agriculture fromsubsistence to commercial farming. The planhas identified priority areas for intervention.They include, among others, Research andDevelopment, private extension servicesdelivery through the National AgriculturalAdvisory Services (NAADS) and sustainableuse of national resources.The International workshop on AnimalTraction and Conservation Agriculture has,therefore, comes at a time when Uganda isimplementing the Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture. We are also deepening andconsolidating the implementation of the principles of decentralisation and devolution of powers to the people at appropriate levelswhere they can best manage and direct their own affairs

National Agricultural Research Organisation(NARO) which was solely mandated tospearhead agricultural research is beingreviewed together with other AgriculturalResearch systems. The review exercise aimsto formulate a decentralised, farmer-owned

and demand-driven National AgriculturalResearch System (NARS). It is hoped that allresearch concerns on Animal Traction andconservation Agriculture will be farmer ownedand demand driven and will address povertyeradication while protecting the environment.As regards linkages and networking in animaltraction, Uganda has followed thedevelopments of Animal Traction Network for East and Southern Africa (ATNESA) since itsinception in 1990. ATNESA has advocated for improved exchange of information andregional co-operation pertaining to animaldraft power. This has provided a platform for

researchers, manufacturers, developmentworkers, institutions, donors, NGOs and usersof animal traction.Todays workshop has attracted wider participation including advocates for conservation agriculture. This is a veryimportant event in the context of the NewPartnership for Africas Development(NEPAD). Africa Leaders advocate for Africas advancement in which all our peoplecan fulfil their potential with effective participation in the global economy as equal partners.Our colonial masters came and found us withour crude farm implements. However, thesituation has not significantly improved since

independence. Out of 17 million ha. of arableland in Uganda, only about 5 million ha. isunder cultivation. The main reason is lack of accessibility and capacity to utilise appropriatefarm mechanisation technologies.Consequently about 90% of farm power requirements are derived from human muscleusing the hand hoe, 8% from animal tractionand 2% from tractors.Government strategic objective therefore is totarget the provision of labour savingtechnologies to women, youths, individualsand farmer groups so as to bring more landunder cultivation both for major food and cashcrops. Conservation farming technologies willhave a vital role in this respect.Conservation Agriculture is not completely innew the African context. Before the on set of modern machinery, farmers used to plantcrops, especially field peas, maize, cassava, bananas, in uncultivated land but followed byearly weeding. Further more, conservationAgriculture is in line with the current urge byAfrican Governments to promote sustainabledevelopment and public awareness of the needto manage land, air and water resources in a balanced and sustainable manner for the present and future generations.Mr. Chairman, before I conclude, I would liketo point out real challenges in the promotion of animal traction and conservation agriculturethat this workshop must address:

(a) Availability of animal traction andconservation equipment at affordable prices to end-users.


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Opening Ceremony

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(b) Integration of indigenous and exoticcover crops into existing farmingsystems

(c) The menace posed by weedsespecially in light of declining soilfertility and water holding capacity.

(d) Negative cultural norms and beliefsthat constrain promotion of animaltraction and conservation agriculture.

(e) The need for gender mainstreamingand empowering farmers throughmicro finance and capacitydevelopment

In conclusion, I must observe that manyAfrican countries will still continue to depend

on the agricultural sector for sometime before

industrialisation takes off. The entry point for the eradication of poverty must therefore bethrough the modernisation of agriculture. Theredress of the above challenges will lead totransformation of our agricultural systems. We

are therefore looking forward to receivingconcrete and practical recommendation fromthis workshop to modernise agriculture for poverty eradication.

I thank you for your attention.I now have the honour and privilege to declarethe workshop on Animal Traction andConservation Agriculture open.

FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY.


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Abstracts of Keynote Papers

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Abstracts of the keynote papers


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Development of animal traction,conservation agriculture and rural

transport in the context of modernisingagriculture in Uganda: policy and

strategy J.O.Y. Omoding (MAAIF, Uganda) and Wilfred R.

Odogola (NARO, Uganda)

Agriculture is the engine of Ugandaseconomic growth, contributing 42% of GDP,85% of export earnings and providingemployment to 80% of the current populationof about 22 million. The country has anestimated three million households each withabout 2.5 ha of land. These produce 94% of

agricultural output. There is inadequate andinefficient utilises of farm power countrywide:a major reason for the country cultivating only27% of the agricultural land.

Animal traction technology was introducedinto Uganda in 1909. A year later a farmer training school in ox cultivation was opened inKumi and in 1920 the current SerereAgricultural and Animal Production ResearchInstitute (SAARI) was established, amongothers, as a centre for research, testing,

demonstration and training of farmers in ox-cultivation techniques. Through the extensionefforts of the Ministry of Agriculture as well asof the relevant institutions including NGOs,the use of work animals rapidly spreadthroughout the Eastern and North-eastern partsof the country where ecological and culturalconditions favoured its development. In theseareas the technology created remarkableimpact in increasing the acreage under cultivation. Currently more than 10 districts inthe country intensively utilise DAP withanother 12.districts moderately using thetechnology. The rest of the districts do not usework animals on the farm.

This paper outlines the processes of introducing and extending draft animal power and conservation agriculture technologies intothe country as well as the research efforts todevelop new equipment both for animaltraction and conservation agriculture. The paper also discusses the initiation of DAPequipment manufacture in 1967 by a privatelyowned farm equipment manufacturing andrepair workshop in Soroti. These efforts

culminated in the establishment of the currentSoroti Agricultural Implements and MachineryManufacturing Company (SAIMMCO), a privately owned venture with capacity to meet

farmer needs for improved animal drawnagricultural implements, post harvestimplements, and other machinery andequipment with excess for export to theneighbouring countries.

As positive developments that point atsustainability, training in Animal tractiontechnology that used to be undertaken by theMinistry of Agriculture at its colleges, districtfarmer training institutes and by extension staff and private sector in various districts, has now

been strengthened through inclusion of draftanimal power and conservation agriculturecourses in curricula at primary, secondary,tertiary and university levels.

The paper proposes a policy strategy aimed ataddressing some of the major constraints thathave hindered promotion of draft animal power in the country. These include cultural, political, economic, environmental, land tenureaspects as well as training and care of work animals and maintenance and repair of draughtanimal implements. Strategies for sustainableintroduction and promotion of the relativelynew conservation tillage concepts into farmingsystems in Uganda are also discussed.

Overview of animal traction and ruraltransport in development:

The case of Africa

P H Starkey (Animal Traction Development, UK)and P G Kaumbutho (KENDAT, Kenya)

Animal traction remains an important andsustainable source of farm power. Anoverview of animal traction (AT) indevelopment and uses around the world was presented by Paul Starkey. Pascal Kaumbuthothen highlighted the case of Africa region as areflection on the new uses for conservationagriculture (CA) was brought forward. The place for animal traction in a world of discriminative modernity and the associatedurbanisation processes remains an issue. The presenters focused on how the problemsremain the same, even as a new approaches or newly found uses towards enhancing animal


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traction utilisation for conservation agriculturetake root. They suggested that even as CAdevelopment progresses, technology transfer problems remain the same and these willremain a hindrance, unless addressed anew.

The region is only now getting word across tofarmers, that ploughs can be adjusted, animalscan plant, ridge and weed. The entry of CAhas to be carefully introduced to be sure thatresource farmers do not get discouraged andeven confused. Issues of economic, social,technical and environmental nature, whether intillage, transport or other uses such as loggingneed a new consideration. The region has onlyrecently started using animal drawn rippersand direct seeders. This is building on a

decade of experimental work in Zimbabwe andZambia. The Africa Conservation tillage Network (ACT) has been formed and nationalnetworks such as the Kenya ConservationTillage Initiative (KCTI) with support form theRegional Land Management Unit (RELMA)are taking on the challenge.

Advances to CA need a system-wide view andintervention, where for example, links betweenCA and other components like rural transportand marketing are made real. The generalabsence but necessity of an AT and CA policyscenario among other development needs or tendencies will remain challenges.

The presentation captured the case of Africaand development hick-ups, centring aroundmisplaced or under-rated development priorities. Recommendations centred on waysof meeting the new challenges to ruraldevelopment and the renewed comparativeadvantages of animal traction technologies.This is important and the region has a newconducive environment as the region focuseson poverty reduction. Challenges are such asthe eminent globalisation trends, which arelikely to lead to a grossly disadvantagedconsumer society in Africa.

The presenters recommended that the currentshortcomings to exploitation potentials for animal traction, be met with combined nationaland regional efforts, be they promotional,industrial, institutional, financial or policy

linked, in orientation.

More intensive and wider support at the centre, be it for farmer organisation and training or credit provision for access to inputs willremain mandatory. For sustained supportregionally, organisations like Southern Africa

Development Cooperation (SADC), CommonMarket for Eastern and Southern Africa(COMESA), East Africa Community and nowthe New Partnership for African Development(NEPAD) need to become part of the supportnetwork.

Conservation Agriculture inDevelopment: The Case of Africa

Martin Bwalya (ACT, Zimbabwe) and Theodor Friedrich (FAO, Italy)

As the world population rises, pressureincreases for agriculture to produce more food.This is more so for the African continent,where it not only food supply, but alsoeconomic development, poverty alleviationand improved living standards are vital factors.But agricultural production is one of thefactors contributing to the degradation of natural resources in Africa. ConservationAgriculture (CA) however, offers provenagricultural production options, whichcombine production with sustainability.

CA can be characterised superficially by threemain principles:

Permanent maintenance of a soil cover of live or dead vegetal material on the soilsurface. No burning of residues isallowed.

Permanent no-tillage and direct seeding or planting of crops through the cover usingspecial equipment.

Planning of crop rotations over severalseasons to minimise the build-up of pestsor diseases and to optimise plant nutrientuse by synergy between different croptypes and by alternating crops withdifferent rooting characteristics.

These three principles bring about the full benefits of CA while minimising the need for farm inputs, particularly agro-chemicals. Nonobservance of only one of these principles, for example crop rotation, makes CA moredifficult to manage, less sustainable andincreases the need for chemical inputs.


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In the context of CA the case of Brazil is oftenquoted. Here particularly, there is a longhistory of farmers who practice no-till farming.They have managed to create a massmovement; indeed they have developed out of

no-till farming, a farming concept which can be considered a real revolution in agriculture.Obviously Africa is not Brazil; agro-ecologicalconditions are usually different. The socio-cultural framework is also different. However,CA in Brazil has allowed the solution of many problems, which are also very common inAfrica. These include:

Soil degradation, Lack of water, Drought and unreliable rainfall, Labour shortage, AIDS pandemic, Lack of farm power and appropriate

implements

CA as a concept should be able to solve similar problems in Africa but the practical solutions,the actual field practices, have to be developedlocally by farmers and researchers, as was thecase in Brazil.

The terms Conservation Agriculture or conservation tillage are not entirely new toAfrican agriculture. In Africas agriculturaldevelopment, the 1960s and 1970s could bedescribed as the mechanisation era when manycountries embarked on extensive agriculturalmechanisation to increase agricultural outputfrom increased area under cultivation. In the1980s, as limitations to sustain theseinterventions become apparent, efforts movedto embrace other technologies, various of which relate to CA.However, with the current rising demand for food in particular and agricultural productivityin general, coupled with less predictablerainfall, it is increasingly being realised thatmuch more needs to be done.

While experience through a number of initiatives has shown that the principles of CAare feasible in the African environment, onemust be aware that apart from technicalaspects, success in their application andadoption must conform to the specific localsocio-economic and cultural factors.One critical benchmark in the developmentand promotion of CA is that the concept and principles have to be internalised into theAfrican situation. The paper discusses anumber of such key factors:

Awareness and appreciation of the problem,

Awareness on possible options and technologies to address the problem,

Compatibility or conflicts with existing cultural habits and traditions,

Farmers accessibility to necessaryinputs,

Public good and public sector commitment,

Current state of the soils and Weeds. Although interpretations understandably vary,the term Conservation Agriculture is now ahousehold name across the continent.Additional to numerous localised initiatives onConservation Agriculture, there are somenational, regional and international programmes addressing issues of ConservationAgriculture in Africa.

Whereas adoption of no-till based conservationfarming practices is significant amongcommercial farmers in most countries, theextent of sustained adoption amongsmallholder communal farmers is minimum.Even with increasing focus on CA insmallholder agricultural programmes, it is stillnot uncommon to find heavily supported programmes focusing on conventional farming practices.


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Abstracts of the invited papers


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SESSION 3: EQUIPMENT FORCONSERVATION AGRICULTURE

3.1 Equipment for ConservationAgriculture: general status and trends

Isaiah Nyagumbo (University of Zimbabwe)

This paper highlights current issues and trendsin the development of conservation agricultureequipment in sub-Saharan Africa and analysesthe factors that have been dominant ingoverning their developments. Prominent inagricultural development measures undertaken by most governments in the first three decadesof post-independence era support tomechanisation interventions initially focused

on tractor powered systems and getting toembrace animal drawn systems as from the late1970s. A large number of tractors and tractor equipment were imported into the region andsupplied to farmers often at highly subsidised prices or used in government machinery hire-schemes.Very little of development/adaptation of theimported farm machinery has done in Africa.Mechanisation in this period was targeted onconventional tillage systems based on the discor mouldboard plough. Tillage equipmentmarketed during this period was thereforemainly for deep ploughing and mechanicalweeding. Farm equipment in hand and animalsmallholder systems has remained largelyundeveloped and limited in both scope andvariety the hoe and the single mouldboard plough.

Increasing concerns about land degradationand the high cost of fuels from the 1980s hasled to shift in attention towards conservationagricultural practices and particularly reducedor no-tillage practices. This has placed newdemands for farm equipment adapted to thiskind of farming system, i.e. equipment for planting and fertiliser placement throughmulch, herbicide sprayers, sub-soiling andripping, etc.A large range of tractor drawn no-till/conservation agriculture equipment is nowavailable. However, hand and animal drawnCA equipment is largely unavailable or whereit can be found the range is very limited

essentially animal drawn minimum tillagerippers, slowly getting popular in Central and

Southern Africa. The paper presents availableCA equipment in all farm power ranges, butmore in hand and animal power systems.Research and equipment development

interventions and on-farm adaptation processesand challenges are discussed. A range of someequipment developed so far and their mainfeatures is provided. By highlighting thecritical role appropriate mechanisation andfarm equipment would play in widespreadadoption of conservation agriculture, the paper concludes suggesting possible strategies for development and promotion of CA equipmentand mechanisation systems and ensuringfarmers have access to such equipment.

3.2 Smallholder equipment forconservation agriculture

Fatima Ribeiro (DMC/CIRAD, France)

The development of animal-drawn no-tillageequipment started in South Brazil in 1985when IAPAR (the Agricultural ResearchInstitute of the State of Parana), designed prototypes of a no-tillage planter and knife-roller for cover crop management.

With the increasing adoption of no-tillage bysmall-scale farmers, the private sector took over the role of designing and providing awide range of hand-operated and animal-drawnequipment. This can be divided into three maingroups: soil improvement, cover cropmanagement combined with weed control, and planters.For soil improvement, an animal-drawn long box gravity applicator is used. Metering deviceis comprised of an axle with agitators, driven by a land wheel.

Cover crops can be managed mechanically,chemically or both. Knife-rollers bend over and crush the plants. They consist of a roller with knives, a support, a traction bar and a protection structure. For chemical managementand weed control, chassis-mounted knapsack sprayers are available. Land wheels drive the pump and the herbicide is applied throughnozzles attached to a height-adjustablehorizontal boom.A wide range of options have been developedfor direct planting, including hand-jab planters(matracas ) and animal-drawn planters for different soil and seed types. In addition, there


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ATNESA meetings have identified thechallenges faced, and issues and opportunitiesavailable to improve management of workinganimals (Pearson et al., 1999, 2002). In this paper the ways in which delivery of extension

messages have been and can be presented inorder to help people maintain health well-fedanimals that are well managed are identified.Factors which need to be considered indeveloping disease control and prevention programmes for working oxen and equidsincluding vector borne diseases, helminthdisease, and vaccination programmes arediscussed. Experiences in improvingmanagement of working animals includingnutrition, footcare, harness related injuries andworking practices worm control, in rural and

peri-urban environments are reported.Most draught animals are owned and used bysmallholder farmers and transport operators,who very often lack the financial means to payfor or access the information needed onnutritional supplements, vaccinations and drugtreatments. Smallholder farms are often remotefrom veterinary services, placing the emphasison preventative measures and local remedieswhen working animals do get sick. In manyareas NGOs are increasingly operating toassist farmers and transport operators care for their animals, acting as a back-up togovernment extension services, which aresometimes constrained in their areas of operation by a shortage of running costs.Equine charities operate in peri-urban areas insome parts of Africa. They have traditionally provided static and mobile treatment teams for equines and training courses for farriers andharness makers. The effectiveness andsustainability of these services and ways inwhich delivery of health care and husbandry

messages could be delivered to improveimpact are discussed.

5.2 Integration of livestock inconservation agriculture

Cyprian Ebong (NARO, Uganda) and David GSmith (CTVMV, UK)

The population of Uganda of estimated at 22million people and it is projected to beincreasing at a rate of 2.5% pa. The increasing population demands increasing acreage of crops to meet the increasing demand for food,

fibre and wood. Analysis of available dataindicates that acreage has been increasing by

approximately 94 thousand ha per annum.Over seventy percent of the land cultivated tothe annual crops is in the north and eastern parts of Uganda, where animal tractiontechnologies are very vital to food security and

household cash income. A survey wasconducted in 14 districts of Uganda. Estimatesof draught power supply potential from thenational herd were estimated. Land areacultivated to annual crops was used to estimatethe demand for animal draught power. The gap between supply and demand was computedover the next 30 years. Results indicatedUganda would not be able to meet demand for animal draught power by the 2030. It isconcluded that, much as animal draught power was the most appropriate technology for

increasing production and labour productivityin Uganda, there is need to increase theefficiency of sustainable tractive effort derivedfrom oxen. Available options includingminimum tillage technologies were proposed.

5.3 Animal power use in rural andperi-urban transport

T E Simalenga (University of Venda, South Africa)and P G Kaumbutho (KENDAT, Kenya)

Transport is a major aspect of rural life and

urban communities. Efficient transport, apartfrom ferrying agricultural inputs and produce,can also facilitate other income-generatingactivities and lessen the womens burden of carrying firewood and water. The modes of transport in Eastern and Southern Africa rangefrom head-loading, usually by women, on farmand village paths, to pick-up trucks onmetalled roads. The other common mode is theintermediate means of transport (IMT) such aswheel barrows, hand carts, bicycles, animal panniers and animal drawn carts.The paper discusses the recent developmentsin the rural transport sector and the role of animal powered transport in meeting on-farmneeds, improving peoples mobility, marketingand employment opportunities.Key issues such as entrepreneurship in animal power transport, gender issues and alleviationof burden to women farmers have beenhighlighted and possible interventions proposed. The paper concludes that industrialas well as equipment support services isrequired to enable the transport sector to thrivein rural and peri-urban areas.


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SESSION 6: POLICY ISSUES ON ANIMALTRACTION AND CONSERVATION

AGRICULTURE

6.1 Sustainable input supply services foranimal traction and conservation

agriculture - policy issues John E. Ashburner (FAO, Ghana)

A review of the agricultural machinery andequipment industry in Sub-Saharan Africa(SSA) reveals significant differences betweencountries. In the cotton production areas, anumber of medium and large-scale workshopshave been established for the production of animal drawn equipment, many of the unitshaving eventually diversified production into

agro-processing equipment and supplies for rural and urban needs (fencing, furniture andother lines) so as to attempt to achieveimproved profitability. Other medium andeven large-scale manufacturers are located inthe more humid tropical areas and in thehighlands, producing in particular, handtools.International research organisations, NGOs,technology training and development centres,some agricultural mechanisation centres andmany universities have been active in manycountries producing prototype equipment but bottlenecks have occurred in many cases in bringing this equipment into local production.Some of the many emergency situations in theregion, together with a number of heavilyfinanced investment projects have seenmassive importations of both handtools andsome animal traction equipment, on occasionto the detriment of the local fabricationindustry and distribution networks.The industry and support infrastructure will beof paramount importance as efforts continue to broaden the adoption of conservationagriculture practices throughout Africa. This paper describes the present situation andattempts to draw some pertinent observationsand conclusions.

6.2 The Benefits of a liberalised anddecentralised development model:

experiences from Uganda

F X K Wagaba (MOLG, Uganda)

During the last fifteen years Uganda hasimplemented a number of reforms which wereintended to strength and improve the

performance of the economy; improve publicsector management and delivery of services aswell as promoting good governance. Theinstitutional reforms focused on reducingGovernment control and regulation of

development activities in the country; promoting of private sector initiative andinvolvement in development activities as wellas creating an enabling environment for attracting both local and foreign capitalinvestments. The expected outputs wereachievement of rapid economic developmentthrough improved macro economic performance, delivery of services, publicsector management as well good governanceand public accountability.

6.3 Approaches for building farmersmanagement skills in animal traction and

conservation agriculture use

Joseph Oryokot (NAADS, Uganda) and Michael Foster (SG2000, Uganda)

The Government of Uganda has adopted,amongst others, two important policies: thePoverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) andthe Plan for the Modernisation of Agriculture(PMA). In these, the role of both the promotion of the use of animal traction and theadoption of conservation agriculture isaccommodated. The role of the NationalAgricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) will be vital.The vision of NAADS is a decentralised,farmer-owned and private sector servicedextension delivery system. Its mission is toincrease farmer access to information,knowledge and technology for profitableagricultural production. The paper outlines theguiding principles of NAADS and the strategyfor farmer capacity development for animaltraction and conservation agriculture.The institutional framework for agriculturalservice delivery is based upon farmer groups,Sub-County farmers fora, District farmersfora and a national farmers forum. Service providers depend upon the expertise andsupport of the private sector, NGOs,universities and training institutions, researchorganisations such as NARO, UCDA andCDO, together with other governmentalorganisations. Linkages between these

stakeholders are described, as also are theachievements to date.


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SESSION 8: ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN MANUFACTURING, MARKETING AND SERVICE PROVISION

8.1 Enterpreneurship and micro-enterprise development for animal traction

and conservation agriculture Isaac Sakala (Africare, Zambia) and Piet Stevens

(IMAG, Zambia) Micro and small businesses are crucial for developing countries: generating up to 40 percent of rural and half or more of urbanemployment. Between 500 million and one billion of the world's economically active poor people run such businesses, ranging fromtrading and service activities to small-scale production.Micro-enterprises assist to meet basic humanneeds; provide skill and entrepreneurialtraining; and act as a vital link with formalsector businesses. More important, they arevery close to their clients, flexible in their services and main players for sustainable poverty alleviation. Yet, fewer than two percent of micro and small businesses haveaccess to credit - other than moneylenders inthe informal sector.IMAG and Africare through the Smallholder Agriculture Mechanization Promotions Project(SAMeP) in Zambia have since 1996 beenworking to assist small enterprises that areinvolved in the supply, distribution andmaintenance of animal drawn conservationtillage implements. The entrepreneurs involvedinclude private retailers and metal workshopsin rural and peri-urban areas. Since thegovernment of Zambia liberalised theagricultural sector scope for the developmentof such businesses largely increased. However, bottlenecks are the seasonal nature of the businesses, a widely scattered demand, low purchase power of the farmers, high lendinginterest rates and high costs of inputs.

This paper discusses IMAG and Africaresexperience in supporting the development of a private sector based manufacturing anddistribution network for conservation tillageimplements and spares. It highlights thestrategies used by IMAG and Africare, as wellas successes obtained and lessons learned.

8.2 Empowering rural and peri-urbanartisans: Uganda case study

J K Byaruhanga (Gatsby Trust, Uganda)

Uganda has recently launched the Plan for theModernisation of Agriculture (PMA) as a keyelement for poverty eradication. Among themajor strategies for PMA is the developmentand adoption of technologies for irrigation,increasing farm power and agro-processing.Considering that most farmers are small scale(small holders), there is a role for appropriatemanually operated or semi-automatedtechnologies which will enhancemechanisation of production and agro- processing at or near the farm. Since these areusually small machines, one can see a role for rural and peri-urban artisans who can beassisted to manufacture and maintain thesetechnologies.UGT works with entrepreneurs in the smallscale sector of whom artisans are part.Artisans especially those in the rural areausually lack tools, technical skills, designskills, work sheds, access to credit and toelectricity.These are the problems addressed byentrepreneurs who join Gatsby Clubmembership and are therefore able to accessservices from the Trust.

8.3 Elements for a conduciveenvironment for internationally operatingimplement manufacturers and suppliers

Andre Verardi (SEMEATO, Brazil)

The paper describes the organisation of thecompany SEMEATO S/A in Brazil and in particular, their involvement in the supply of agricultural equipment for conservationagriculture. The adoption of direct drillingtechniques in Brazil was brought about to alarge extent by a mixture of public pressureand financial incentives. The farmersorganising themselves into associations,encouraged the movement and there has been agrowing interest by FAO, World Bank, GTZand CIRAD.The commercial attractions for locally producing the equipment include the ability toreduce costs. There are close links with theresearch organisations and the distributors


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have gained sufficient technical knowledgeand entrepreneurial skills to assist and trainfarmers.There have however, been difficulties amongstwhich it is noted that there has been limitedgovernment support to manufacturers, there isconsiderable bureaucracy and goods destinedfor export are subject to considerable taxation.Logistics are also complicated.The paper notes various aspects of importancefor leading export companies such asSEMEATO. High quality products areessential with continuous updating of designs.Adoption of trade marks is necessary to protectthe brands and the export business must form part of the strategic plans of the company.

Export now constitutes the core business of SEMEATO.

SESSION 9: ORGANISATION OF MACHINERY USE AND SERVICES

9.1 Multi-farm use options for enhancedfarmer accessibility to machinery and

services

H.Loos (GTZ, Ghana)

In line with the Poverty Reduction Strategy of Ghana, the development of the agriculturalsector is a key element. In Ghana, agriculturecontributes 60% to domestic product, 65% toemployment and 50% to exports. Increase inagricultural production and productivity, andthe subsequent introduction of agro basedindustries are seen as the motor for economicgrowth, of generation income and creation of job opportunities.However, the majority of Ghanaian farmersstill work at a very low level of mechanisation,tilling the land with hand tools andtransporting their produce by head load. Theselabour intensive production methods limit thearea under cultivation and are responsible for severe yield losses due to untimely-performedoperations. Furthermore, the tedious fieldwork and low returns to labour make agricultureincreasingly unattractive for the Youth,resulting in migration from the rural areas.A concept is needed that is agronomicallysustainable and economically affordable, that produces sufficient quantities and quality of

produce, and that provides for efficient postharvest services. Therefore, the concept of conservation farming should be promoted for

most conditions in Ghana in order to arrest soilerosion, sustain soil fertility, reduce productioncosts and make services affordable to small-scale farmers. A systems model for conservation farming is being presented.

Different organisational models are beingdiscussed to assure efficient services. Theestablishment of Private MechanisationService Centres (Model of the GermanMaschinenring) that receive some supportthrough Government is being favoured as anoption, because it involves the private and the public sector, but maintains private entrepreneurship and assures organised servicedelivery.9.2 Multi-Farm Use: The case of tractor

and machinery hire-servicein the Vhembe District of the Limpopo

Province - South Africa

Khathu Nedavhe-Muthala (BASED, South Africa), Martin Bwalya (ACT, Zimbabwe) and

Edward Chuma (University of Zimbabwe, Harare)

The Broadening Agricultural Services for Extension and Development (BASED) programme, jointly with the AfricanConservation Tillage Network, is working oncommunity based development and promotion

of sustainable soil and water management practices amongst smallholder farmers in theLimpopo Province (formally NorthernProvince) of South Africa.

In pursuing the objectives of the programme, private tractor owners operating farmmachinery hire schemes, have been engaged to provide the needed power and machinery inputin the operations. The paper discusses detailedexperiences of about 30 private tractor ownersin Limpopo province, their operators and thefarmers using the service.The paper highlights technical, socio-economicand cultural issues that influence successfulmanagement of a private farm machinery-hiring scheme, basing on the BASED projectcase. The paper discusses the role of multi-farm use and privately owned tractor-machinery hire schemes in increasedsmallholder farmers accessibility to farmmachinery in general and conservation farmingequipment in particular.


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9.3 Manufacturing of farm equipment,marketing and back-up services

Asubo Makarios(SAIMMCO, Uganda)

The role of agriculture in the economic

development of Africa is fundamental.Agriculture must be transformed to produceadequate food for the rapidly growing population. We must also increase productionof export crops in an increasingly competitiveworld. In order to maximise yields, appropriateimplements have to be used and the variousfield operations have to be timed wellaccording to the crop needs and environmentalrequirements.

Technology involves systematic knowledge of

industrial art including concerning production by machines. For any technology to be usefulin a community, it should be oriented to theneeds of the majority. It should also be readilyavailable and reliable, utilising availableresources, capital and labour as much as possible so as to ensure its sustainability.Implement development programmes aim atdesigning implements that can realise fieldoperations to the satisfaction of farmers. Withinformation gleaned from implementdemonstrations, an assessment of their performance and effectiveness is used todevelop them according to their shortcomings.

Sales Agent, supplemented by our own Depotsare aimed at facilitating the provision of thenecessary hardware. They also deal with the provision of information to different targetgroups such as farmers, artisans and extensionstaff. Small traders are being supported inareas where on-farm promotions of AT have been conducted to involve them in marketingof our implements and spares. SAIMMCO,like other manufactures and importers of agricultural implements, is struggling withdistribution.

SESSION 10: MICRO-FINANCE IN ANIMAL TRACTION AND

CONSERVATION AGRICLTURE DEVELOPMENT

10.1 Experiences with micro-finance inpromoting animal traction and conservationagriculture: opportunities and bottlenecks

Basil Wanzira (PACODEV, Uganda), Wilfred R.Odogola (FARMESA, Uganda) and W. Nalyongo

(PACODEV, Uganda)

In sub-Saharan Africa, typical goals of ruraldevelopment include food production and poverty alleviation. Despite varying views onthe best ways of achieving these goals, production intensification, exploitation of marginal lands and expansion of trade areamong the options often sited. At smallholder level, accelerated adaptation and adoption of improved agricultural technologies and practices is one of the driving forces for

sustainable rural development. Intensificationof farming must be part and parcel of thestrategy for ensuring livelihood security for most countries in sub-Saharan Africa, where per capita agricultural land is continuouslydecreasing.This paper focuses on a number of issuesrelated to financial service delivery for food production and poverty alleviation aimed atenhancement of rural development. Theintroduction outlines the needs for micro-

finance in AT and CA, defines micro-financeand characterises micro-finance both formaland informal institutions that address needs of different levels of recipients.Step-by-step procedures for preparing a borrower or group of borrowers towards timelyloan repayment is given. The process includesa rapid appraisal survey to identify andcatalogue borrower characteristics and their requirements in respect of AT and CA.Sensitisation of individuals, groups or associations are organised to respond to topicssuch as: What is credit? Why the credit? Howdoes credit work? Who accesses it and how?Other activities include rigorous training in business analysis and planning, registration of individuals, groups or associations, preparationand submission of business plans, lodging of loan requests and eventually, loan approvaland disbursement.In conclusion the paper outlines the case of micro-finance, which has very successfully

operated under the Farmesa Project in Uganda.


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REPORTS ON WORKSHOP

ACTIVITIES


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FIELD VISITS

Visit for Group #1: Selected ResearchInstitute

27 participants enlisted for the field trip to two NARO research institutes: Kawanda AgriculturalResearch Institute (KARI) and the AgriculturalEngineering and Applied Technology ResearchInstitute (AEATRI) and later to MakerereUniversity Research Institute, Kabanyolo(MUARIK).

KARI

At KARI, the Director of the Institute, Dr Magunda, met the team and provided an overviewof the institute. The team then visited three of thefour research programs at the institute:

- Postharvest- Horticulture- Soils & soil management- Banana

At the Banana Research Program, the team visiteddemonstration plots depicting various management practices on banana which emphasise aspectsrelated to CA. Methods of banana multiplicationthrough tissue culture vs. suckers were alsodemonstrated.

At the Soils Management Department, the groupsaw cover crop management with generation of much discussion. At the Horticulture Program, theteam visited the tree nursery where they were briefed through the different stages of preparingseedlings, including grafting and tissue culturetechniques and the materials required. They touredthe different shades, housing various plantletsincluding coffee, bananas, citrus and mangoes.

AEATRI

At the Agricultural Engineering and Applied

Technology Research Institute (AEATRI) the groupwas given an overview of the institute: itsestablishment, mandate, objectives, programmes,activities and technologies developed. Theseincluded light model plough, planters, CTequipment, weeders, grass choppers, roots andtuber slicers, and maize shellers. In the water areathe group was demonstrated a treadle pump,windmill, bio-gas digesters and other appliances.

Areas of concern included linkage to private sector manufacturers to multiply the technologies more sowhen they are interested in only those with a suremarket. Widening source base for promisingtechnologies (another model of the motorised maizeSheller available in Eriteria and willing to pass on

blue prints). There was definite interest in therelevance of the equipment to smallholder

agricultural sector and enterprise. Some participants, particularly those from Ethiopia andEritrea wanted to purchase some of the equipmentlike manual maize shellers but they were afraid of encountering export complications on departure totheir home countries. They went on to enquireabout having blue-prints for the same equipment but these were not readily available.

Kabanyolo University Farm

The team visited the Agricultural EngineeringDepartment at this farm of the Makerere UniversityResearch Institute, holding discussions with various

of the staff.

Visit for Groups # 2 & 3 : Farmer Trainingin Iganga & Tororo Districts

Two different groups, each of 25-30 participantswere organised for this field visit, both groupsvisiting field sites in Iganga and Tororo districts.

Tillage demonstration, Mukulu

The sub-group that started at the Tororo end, startedwith a demonstration of ploughing by Sasakawa

Global 2000 farmers at Mukuju Village, 8-10 kmalong the Tororo-Mbale road. The demonstrationconsisted of a two-to-three pass ploughingoperation followed by a harrowing operation usinga cultivator attachment to a Rumptstadmultipurpose toolbar. The farmers including a 13-year old boy, demonstrated how to open a furrowfor a plough-planting operation which needed twomen while two women followed behind placingseed. The next demonstration was on weeding withan ox-drawn cultivator. The farmers were verygood at what they did though were completelyunaware of conservation tillage concepts. Farmersdescribed the equipment in use as heavy and theyneeded lighter ploughs for smaller people and particularly for women.

Discussion with Tororo farmers

Africa 2000 farmers in Tororo were the next to bevisited. These gave a tour of their gardens withcover-crop use in an agro-forestry and soilconserving system demonstrated. Cover crops inuse were such asCrotararia and Gliricidia. Treecrops like Lucerne were also observed to be in use.Use of pits to harvest rain-water around bananatrees was a practice receiving intensive use amongfarmers. It was not clear why water collection pitswere necessary in an area with relatively high


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rainfall rates. Risk of flooding was considered to beeminent.

Visit to the SG 2000 One-Stop-Centre

The One-Stop-Centre is a Sasakawa Global 2000(SG 2000) outfit where farmers obtain all aspects of farming and community development all at onestop site. It is a centre established with participationof enterprise women groups currently involved withthe following activities: Processing cassava to Gari and other by-

products, Making donuts and other snacks for sale to all, Stocking an assortment of agricultural inputs

including farm equipment, seed, fertiliser and pesticides for sale to members and to allinterested farmers within and outside the area.

The group also conducts training on various

aspect of agriculture including micro-finance.The One Stop Centre is run by one of several SG2000 projects as a means of providing a long termand sustained input and service support for womenwhile building on their entrepreneurial capacity. SG2000 role is to encourage women and empower them through training in business operation. Thisinvolving assistance and team and capacity buildingcentre has the expected signs of growing to self-sustenance. After this is achieved, SG 2000 willcautiously pull out. The group initiative was a clear example of how rural people and particularly

women can take control of their own development.Stockist supply systems are already beingconsidered as some of the important ways of advancing conservation agriculture.

Ikulwe District Farmer Trining Institute, IgangaDistrict

At this centre participants were demonstrated on-station as well as on-farm research work by NAROand its collaborators. This covered soil fertilityenhancement aspects. The work also includedintegration of several cover crops into the farmingsystem in this district. Farmers visited were veryenthusiastic to receive the visiting team and couldably explain the trials in their fields.

Visit for Group #4 : Fabricators in EasternUganda

Visits were made by some 40 participants tomanufacturers at different levels in Soroti and JinjaDistricts, as indicated below.

SAIMMCO The Soroti Agricultural Machineryand Implements Manufacturing Company(SAIMMCO) started as an engineering plantestablished by Asian entrepreneurs in 1967.

It was established to manufacture farm implementsand replacement parts for ginneries and other

general engineering items. Nationalised in 1972after the expulsion of the Asian community, it wasthen rehabilitated and re-capitalised under aUNIDO/UNCDF/UNDP supported project, whichstarted in 1987. It was then that the nameSAIMMCO was established.

The company was privatised in 1999 and acquired by the current owners the Alam Group of Companies. SAIMMCO is the sole large-scalemanufacturer of farm implements, mainly animaldrawn, in the country. The product range includesox-ploughs, ox-carts, potato slicer, potato grader,groundnut shellers and lifters, dam-scoops,harrows, brick moulds, hammer mills, oil-press and bicycle parts.

The workshop is well equipped with versatile production machines allowing low production runsto be accommodated within its capacity.

It present, the company does not produce any CArelated equipment the management expressedwillingness to learn about this equipment and possibly take them on board in their product range.

Uganda Veterans Association Group KanapaParish, Ongiino Sub-county, Kumi District

The team visited the Uganda Veterans AssociationGroup at their base at Kanapa Parish in OngiinoSub-county, Kumi District. These farmers useanimal power and single mouldboard plough for land preparation. The Group held lengthydiscussions and some also tried out the plough withthe draft animals made available for thedemonstration.

A local blacksmith in Ongiino Sub-county, KumiDistrict

The area is also known to have a number of local blacksmiths involved in the fabrication of anassortment of household and farm tools andreplacement parts, including bicycle parts. Theteam visited Mr. Dividison Olelger who is one of the long standing and experienced blacksmiths inthe area.


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At now 75 years old, Mr. Olelger is still a full-time blacksmith, a practice he started at the age of 26 in1953 learning on-the-job from his father. Heindicated that he has managed to feed andeducate his children all these years from hisearnings in blacksmith.

He indicated that his major problem was sourcingof raw materials (scrap metal) for which sometimeshe has to go long distances (to urban centres).

His range of regularly made tools and parts include: s/mouldboard plough shares s/mouldboard plough landsides s/mouldboard plough mouldboards kitchen knives axes and hoes bicycle saddle frame.

Jinja Steel Rolling Mills

The company, located in Jinja, is a large-scalefoundry manufacturing an assortment of steel profiles, mainly from scrape steel. It manufactures awide range of steel profiles sizes and shapes. Thisincludes deformed bars, flat and angle-iron profilesother made to specific user requirements. Itsupplies most of Ugandas steel requirements andexports mainly to Kenya, Rwanda and Congo DR.

The Company is also part of the Alam Group of Companies. The company also makes the I-steel

profiles, which are cut and bent to plough beamspecifications and supplied to SAIMMCO.

Equipment exhibition and posterpresentations

EQUIPMENT EXHIBITION

(with a contribution from Fredrick Ochieng)

There were numerous items of agriculturalequipment and accessories on display designed for both farm and transport tasks. A total of 14companies and organisations were represented,with five from Brazil, two from Uganda and Kenya,

and others from Ghana, Malawi, Zambia, SouthAfrica and Zimbabwe. The equipment displayed is briefly described below.

Fitarelli ([email protected] )

This Brazilian company specialises in handoperated and animal drawn CA equipment. Thedisplay included:

Hand operated jab planter for seed only Hand operated jab planter for seed and

fertiliser Long beam AT direct planter Long beam AT minimum tillage planter Ride-on AT direct planter (illustrated)

Iadel ([email protected] )

This is another Brazilian Company manufacturinghand operated and animal drawn CA equipment.

Long beam AT direct planter AT ripper/weeder AT sprayer with accessories AT Knife roller

Direct drill for seed & fertiliser

Pamphlets (writtenin Portuguese)

showing equipment by both IADEL and

KNAPIK.

number of roducts by the two

Brazilian companieswere on display.


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Knapik (contact :[email protected] )

This Brazilian Company specialises inmanufacturing sprayers for small farmers:

Hand operated wheel-barrow boom

sprayer with accessories AT sprayer with accessories

Triton (contact: [email protected] )

Also from Brazil, manufacturing planting andspraying equipment for small farmers. It displayed:

Long beam AT direct planter AT direct planter with press wheels Long beam AT minimum tillage planter Hand pulled boom sprayer AT ride-on boom sprayer

SEMEATO ([email protected] )

This is a Brazilian company established in 1965and has since expanded to incorporate research anddevelopment, as well as a training school for peoplewho work in the industry. The high technologymachine they displayed was a multi-crop planter:

Tractor mounted direct drill/planter

Micron Sprayers ([email protected] )

Two of their sprayers were on display: The Handy (hand-held herbicide sprayer)

This can apply either formulations or traditional water based products.

The Ulva . This is a hand-held sprayer for insecticide and fungicide application,designed for low and ultra low volumes. Itcan apply both oil and water-based sprays.

SAIMMCO LTD ([email protected])

SAIMMCO is a private company run by ALAMGroup of Companies in Soroti and manufacturesfarm implements. Some of the equipment theydisplayed plough, ridger, dam scoop (see photo),ox-cart with metallic wheels and Diamond spiketooth harrow.

Triple W Engineering ([email protected])

This is a private manufacturing company based inKenya and producing a range of equipment. Ondisplay included donkey and ox-drawn equipment:donkey plough with weeder attachment, ox-drawnweeder, ridger attachment, single-row planter withharnessing as well as puncture-free tyres andmanual weeder.

KENDAT ([email protected])

Kenya Network for Draught Animal Technology(KENDAT) is a local non-governmentalorganisation that empowers resource-poor communities by advancing animal tractiontechnologies. Current programmes focus onimproving donkey welfare and utilization, promoting conservation agriculture for increased production and environmental preservation, andenhancing provisions for rural and peri-urbantransport services in Kenya

A variety of harnesses and equipment were ondisplay. They included:

Collar harness and saddle for carting Saddles (locally modified and by Donkey

Sanctuary) Pannier Mulch planter Ridgers (Victory brand)

Mr. Muckle of Triple W


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Machinery Demonstration

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5. Worms/ Africa Horse-sickness/Community Tick Control/ Lumpy skindisease/ Lung sickness (Contagiousbovine pleuropneumonia)

by Department of Tropical Veterinary

Medicine, University of Pretoria 6. Namibia: Land of the brave

7. ACT services in conservation farming

by GTZ/ ACT

8. Marketing by women

- by Technology for Rural Animal Power Trap (D.Wekesa)

9. The impact of ox-weeding on labour use,labour costs and returns in the Teso

farming systemby NRI (D. Barton, A. Okumi, F. Agob and L.

Kokoi)

10. Training in Animal Traction

by ARRADO/UVAB

11. Management of vertisols and luvisols of semi-arid Eastern Kenya using animaltraction

by Kenya Agricultural Research Institute(KARI)

12. Helping communities with their owndevelopment

by Maasai Pastoralist Development Organisation (L. Sakita and D. Conroy)

13. Animal traction in action in TororoDistrict

by Farm Hands

14. The potential for conservation tillagepractices to improve smallholder maizeproduction in Zimbabwe

15. The development of reduced tillagesystems suited to th requirements of resource poor farmers in Kwa-ZuluNatal, South Africa

by ARC LNR (R.M. Fowler, P. Hlatshwayo and J. Arathoon)

REPORT ON FIELDDEMONSTRATIONS

During the afternoon of Day 1, workshop participants, together with a number of farmersinvited from the neighbouring districts of Jinjaand Iganga, converged at the AgriculturalShow Ground in Jinja for a demonstration of arange of CA equipment received from variousBrazilian manufacturers. This was as follows:

FITARELLI: several models of handand animal drawn direct planters,

IADEL: animal drawn ripper/weeder,direct planter, boom sprayer, knife

roller TRITON: direct animal drawn planters, boom sprayers manual andanimal drawn,

KNAPIK: direct planter, wheel- barrow-boom and shielded sprayer.

Prior to demonstrating each of the equipment,its purpose and operational features wereexplained to participants. Manually operateddirect jab-planters, wheel-barrow-boom andshielded sprayer were demonstrated one at atime. Both male and female participants took part in the actual operation of the equipment.For the animal drawn equipment, a pair of well-trained animals was used. One item of equipment after the other was demonstrated asthe participants closely observed. Questionswere asked and clarifications made. TheBrazilian manufacturers took direct charge of these field demonstrations.


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Workshop recommendations

Two days of discussions took place with sixdifferent Working Groups concerning thefollowing topics:


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Closing Ceremony

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Closing Ceremony

CLOSING SPEECH BY THE GUEST OFHONOUR

Dr Olaho MukaniDirector of Animal Resources, MAAIF

Representing the Permanent Secretary of Agriculture

Distinguished delegatesWorkshop convenersDear ParticipantsLadies and Gentlemen,

1. I am greatly honoured to officiate atthe closing of this very important

International Workshop on AnimalTraction and Conservation Agriculturewith emphasis on their contribution tothe Modernisation of Agriculture. As Iam made to understand, this is the firstworkshop combining the initiatives of both Animal Traction Network for Eastern and Southern Africa(ATNESA) as well as those of AfricaConservation Tillage network (ACT).

2. I am happy to note that the participants

to this workshop have been drawnfrom no less than 16 countries of theworld covering the five continents.The participants do not only comefrom different countries but also frommany different institutions anddisciplines with strong participationfrom the private sector. This multi-disciplinary participation is mostwelcome because it has providedwider base for sharing experience andknowledge that will contribute togovernment efforts to modernizeagriculture.

3. To our visitors from outside Uganda, itis my sincere hope that the field tour you had on Wednesday exposed you toUganda countryside and our efforts to promote animal traction andconservation agriculture technologies.The contacts you have establishedshould now lay the foundation for future collaboration and networking.

4. The quality papers presented anddiscussions that followed have given adeeper understanding on the newconcepts of conservation agricultureand broaden our knowledge and

diversified uses of animal tractiontechnologies. In this context I wish tothank the Brazilians, south Africans,Zimbabweans Ghanaians, Kenyans,Ugandans NGOs and SAIMMCO who brought equipment for demonstrationand exposure. Special thanks goes toFAO, GTZ, UNIDO ATNESA andACT for facilitating of the workshopand enabling the equipment to be brought to Uganda. I am particularlyhappy to note that some equipment

will remain in Uganda and will provide engineering germplasm for conservation agriculture in Uganda.

5. Finally, I am happy that Uganda Network for Animal Traction andConservation Agriculture (UNATCA)has been formed and I am going tolaunch it today. The establishment of UNATCA is the product of the longcollaboration with ATNESA. I amconvinced that the existence of UNATCA will now promotenetworking with similar associationswithin Africa and beyond for mutual benefit.

6. In conclusion I must thank FAO, GTZ,ACT, NGOS, ATNESA, all participants and the NationalOrganising Committee for the job welldone.

I now have great pleasure in declaringUNATCA LAUNCHED and theInternational WorkshopCLOSED . Iwish all the participants and invitedguests a safe journey back to their countries and institutions.


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APPENDICES

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APPEND

uganda02 workshop report draftversion

Documents