Assessment of causes of low adoption of animal traction technology as an alternative source of farm power in Masafu sub-county, Busia district.

Abstract

This study was conducted from March to April to assess the causes of low adoption of draught animal traction technology as an alternative source of farm power in Masafu Sub county, Busia district Eastern Uganda. One hundred households were randomly sampled from four parishes. The data was collected using questionnaire and observation methods and data was based on demographic characteristics, factors causing low adoption of draught animal traction technology animals used for traction and implements used. Research findings indicated that the causes of low adoption of DAP included the following. Ignorance about the technology (22%), lack of appropriate equipment8%. 11% expensive nature of the implements. 18% lack of animals 27% high hire services of equipments and animals limited land 5%. The type of animals used for Draught animal execution in Masafu Sub County was only cattle where by 72% of the respondents used only male cattle and 28% of the respondents used both male and female cattle and the breed was the Zebu breed of cattle whereas the implements used were, the ox plough for ploughing and the harnessing system was double shoulder yoke, rope and chain. Findings showed that 94% of the respondents were aware of the use of work animals specifically in ploughing and only 4% were aware about the use of animal traction technology in other agricultural activities such as weeding, planting, transportation and only 2% were not aware about the use of animal traction technology. Further research should be carried out on the possibility of fanners using other animal species for traction apart from cattle. Therefore, the government and NGOs should provide loans and subsidies, for animal traction Implements, also implements and their spare parts should be made locally available for easy accessibility by the farmers sensitization of farmers about animal DAP through extension agent.