Animal power in the West and Central Francophone zone of Africa in a renewed context : the issues for development and research achievements

Vall Eric, Lhoste Philippe. 2003. Animal power in the West and Central Francophone zone of Africa in a renewed context : the issues for development and research achievements. In : Working animals in agriculture and transport : a collection of some current research and development observations. Pearson R. Anne (ed.), Lhoste Philippe (ed.), Saastamoinen Markku (ed.), Martin Rosset William (ed.). EAAP, University of Edinburgh, CIRAD, MTT Agrifood Research Finland, INRA. Wageningen : Wageningen Academic Publishers, 13-25. (EAAP technical series, 6) ISBN 90-76998-25-6 EAAP Annual Conference. 53, Caire, Égypte, 1 Septembre 2002/4 Septembre 2002.

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Résumé : Draught animals are a central part of the farming strategy in sub-Saharan Africa. Animal power increases labour productivity and reduces its arduousness, making it possible to increase the area cultivated and diversify income. Ploughing using draught animals, helps control weeds, manage water and maintain soil fertility. Achieving a balanced increase of equipment, cultivated area and farm labour is often a difficult challenge for small fanners just starting out. Promoters of the use of draught animals have developed a range of services within the framework of projects and development companies (extension, equipment, financing, for example). Today, as African States withdraw from their commitments to agriculture, new stakeholders are taking up position in the draught animal market (for example, veterinarians, loan institutions, blacksmiths). This new situation involves the renewal of research practices focusing on: incorporating operators' demands through a multidisciplinary approach, research operations in three phases (rebuilding demand, encouraging innovation and socialising the results) and simultaneous intervention at producer and service level. Five priority lines of research are proposed: diversification of equipment and draught teams; intensification through tilling, integration of crop and livestock fanning; professionalisation of emerging services; financing and advice regarding equipment.

Mots-clés Agrovoc : animal de trait, innovation, énergie animale, recherche, système de culture, pratique culturale, environnement socioéconomique

Mots-clés géographiques Agrovoc : Afrique au sud du Sahara

Classification Agris : P05 - Ressources énergétiques et leur gestion

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