ANALYSIS OF THE UTILIZATION AND IMPACT OF ANIMAL TRACTION IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA
ANALYSIS OF THE UTILIZATION AND IMPACT OF ANIMAL TRACTION IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
1996-06
Authors
OMOTAYO, AKINWUMI MOSES
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Abstract
This study assesses the utilization and impact of
animal traction in Katsina State. One hundred and seventy
farm households who were selected through a combination of
purposive and systematic random sampling techniques were
surveyed using both structured and unstructured interview
techniques. Three distinctive types of farm households
were identified, namely: households who owned work bulls
and implements (independent users of animal traction),
households who used animal traction but did not own the
package (dependent animal traction users) and households
who depended mainly on hoe cultivation (non-users of
animal traction). Land tillage (ploughing and ridging)
were the most common use to which animal traction was
applied. Some farmers also used animal traction for
weeding and carting. The use of cows for traction
purposes was not known in the study area. Similarly the
application of animal traction in driving stationary
processes was not known.
The correlation and regression analyses showed that
age, having training on animal traction, traction access
status and farm size were positively and significantly
related to the level of utilization of animal traction.
On the other hand, off-farm employment, and education were
negatively and significantly correlated with the level of
utilization of the technology. Other variables such as
access to credit, ownership of cattle, extension contact,
household labour capacity, leadership status and
membership in associations were not significantly
correlated with the level of use of the technology.
The study revealed that independent animal traction
users recorded slightly higher average net incomes than
both the dependent users and non-users of the technology.
The regression analysis showed that the level of use of
animal traction had a positive and significant impact on
farm income. Similarly, the study showed that the use of
animal traction had significant impact on control of
resources within households. On the other hand, the
regression analysis revealed that the use of animal
traction did not have any significant impact on crop
yield. Furthermore, the study showed that even though the
average labour input per hectare was greater among nonusers
than the users of animal traction, there was no
significant difference in the labour input per hectare
among the Independent and Dependent user households.
Finally, a detailed examination of the animal
traction knowledge system provided useful insights into
the reasons for the low level of utilization of the
technology and its trend of impact. Suggestions for
improved utilization of animal traction include
introduction and adaptation of weeding, seed drilling and
harvesting animal drawn implements, introduction and
promotion of cow, donkey and camel traction, training
blacksmiths in maintenance of animal drawn implements and
the introduction of Animal Traction Hiring Units, by the
ADPs and farmers organizations.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POST-GRADUATE SCHOOL, AHMADU
BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
(AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL
ECONOMICS AND RURAL SOCIOLOGY, FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA.
JUNE, 1996
Keywords
ANALYSIS,, UTILIZATION,