DRAUGHT OXEN POWER UTILIZATION FOR TILLAGE OPERATIONS IN SMALLHOLDER FARMING SYSTEMS IN YOLA - NIGERIA
A study on the draught animal power utilization characteristics in tillage operation was undertaken to assess the broad overview of animal traction, the quality of the implements made available to farmers and the viability of the technology in a smallholder farming system in Yola region for three years (2011-2013). . An analysis of actual and potential use of the technology is carried out through surveyed questionnaire designed to collect different categories of information ranged from the type and number of draught animals, the type and number of implements, the acquisition mode, and the repair and maintenance problems. These data were analyzed using simple statistics. The results revealed that oxen used by the farmers were either locally withdrawn from the farmer’s own herd or purchased in the village from other farmers either on loan, hired or gifts. Sixty one percent of farmers (61 %) owned only one pair of draught oxen, five percent (5 %) had two pairs of oxen while three percent of farmers (3 %) had 5 draught animals, only the male oxen were selected for their tillage operation. The study showed that the draught oxen are used for ridging only and transportation. Weeding is manually done. Out of the total number of fifty (50) implements available to 40 farmers, 72% are Mouldboard Ridgers, while 28% Ox-carts. 61.3 % of the ridgers were imported, while 38.7 % were locally manufactured by blacksmiths. The ox-cart is 100% locally manufactured by blacksmiths. The farm size ploughed in the area of study varies between 1-7 hectares and the number of farm workers present at the farm level varies between 2-8 workers. The study provides a simplified process necessary for farmers and researchers to monitor draught oxen and implement availability for field operations and management.
Authors : H. U. Kabri, B. Umar, S. A. Iya and Y. T. Ibrahim
Category : Open Access Volume (Issue) : 5(1) Date Uploaded : 22nd July 2019