PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF NEAZDP ANIMAL TRACTION PROGRAMME
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF NEAZDP ANIMAL TRACTION PROGRAMME
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Date
1998-08
Authors
HUSSAINI, KAFAYO HASSAN
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Abstract
The North East Arid Zone Development Programme (NEAZDP) has
a high population of draught animals. A number of activities
were undertaken which have not been properly documented for
possible improvements of the entire NEAZDP programme. This studywas
to provide detailed information on the technical performance
of the traction programme.
A baseline survey was carried out to determine the initial
status of animal traction in the State. This was followed by
acquisition of various types of animal-drawn equipment which were
tested, modified and re-tested. For sustainability, artisans
were trained on the newly introduced equipment. The modified
equipment were field tested and any faults corrected. Large
quantities of the modified and artisans fabricated/constructed
equipment were procured and distributed. Final evaluation was
carried out after three years of project operation.
Baseline survey showed that, there were 2,3 58 workbulls, 3 02
donkeys, 400 camels, 1,573 horses, 2,358 ridgers, 2,358 ox-carts,
1 ARARA cultivator and 4-5-tine blacksmith make cultivators
owned by farmers. There were 34 carpenters and 44 blacksmiths
with poor skills initially and were trained in appropriate
fabrication/construction methods using modern tools. About
39,513 pairs of workbulls, 44,402 pairs of donkeys, 19,756 single
camels and 9,87 8 single horses were estimated to cover the
cultivable land area of NEAZDP.
The study showed that on the basis of estimated body weights of
draught animals evaluated, their tractive efforts ranged between
9 8N and 1247N. The working speeds ranged between 1.3km/h and
3.8km/h, implements draft requirements ranged between 647N and
2481N, field coverage ranged between 4 to 18h/ha for different
field operations and soil types. On average, draught animals
evaluated pulled between 502 to 825kg of load over a distance of
1 to 45km at a speed between 3 - 5km/h.
The average efficiency ranged between 79 to 99%, depth of
work between 12 to 2 3cm, ridge height between 12 to 2 0cm and
effective width of work between 42 to 186cm for different
implements and field operations.
Of the technologies introduced the ridging and ox-carting,
were the most adopted, while ox-ploughing and ox-harrowing were
least adopted field operations.
Study revealed that incorporation of artisans and animal
handles to sustain the NEAZDP animal traction programme is a
necessity.
Description
A Dissertation Submitted to the Postgraduate School,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Degree of Doctor of Phylosophy (Ph.D) in Engineering
Department of Agricultural Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria - Nigeria.
AUGUST, 1998
Keywords
PERFORMANCE,, EVALUATION,, NEAZDP,, ANIMAL,, TRACTION,, PROGRAMME