Socio-economic aspects in draught animal-crop linkages: a diagnostic study of Tsholotsho, Chinyika and Mutoko smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe

A research paper on Zimbabwe's small-holder farmers' constraints in crop production due to shortages of draught animal power during the 1994/95 agricultural season.A survey was conducted on 451 households in Tsholotsho, Chinyika and Mutoko smallholder areas to understand farmers’ crop production constraints in relation to draught animal power (DAP) during the 1994/95 agricultural season. Farmers without DAP constituted 48.6 percent in the three districts. Of these, 54.5 percent had access to neighbours’ or relatives’ animals. The rest hired or worked in others’ fields in exchange for draught animals. Animal diseases and shortage of grazing land were noted as the major constraints in animal production. Both farmer education and experience as well as household head were found to be associated with district (p<0.001). Tsholotsho had the largest number of farmers (52.8 percent) with more than 10 years experience while Mutoko had the largest proportion (43.3 percent) of Master farmers. Farmer education and experience were found to be independent of sex. The average land holdings per farmer for Tsholotsho, Chinyika and Mutoko were 6.21 ha, 4.22 ha and 1.62 ha, respectively. Tsholotsho is a dryland communal area whilst Chinyika is a relatively wet area. Mutoko is a typical communal area with a high population pressure. Maize is the main crop in Chinyika and Mutoko whilst millet is the most common in Tsholotsho

A simulation model of draught animal power in smallholder farming systems. Part I: Context and structural overview

This paper presents the context, approach, and overview of a computer based draught animal power simulation model named Draught Animal Power Simulator (DAP-Simulator). The model was developed using data from literature and modified components and modules of existing models. The overall objective of this study was to provide a decision support system for agricultural planners and development agencies in the evaluation of different strategies of improving the efficiency of DAP use in crop production. The model was coded in Turbo PASCAL 7.0 and implemented in the interactive modelling package, DRIVER. The traction module of the PCHERD model was modified and interfaced with dynamic, empirical and deterministic sub-routines that simulate energy requirements for work (ploughing or carting loads), maintenance, pregnancy, lactation, feed intake, digestion and absorption, and daily weight changes. It can be used as a tool for the strategic use of draught animals, estimating effects of work stress on animal performance and calculation of work requirements. The development of this model indicated that more research work needs to be carried out in quantifying rolling resistance; estimating specific soil resistance, energy requirements for maintenance in Bos indicus cattle; effects of disease; animal behaviour (temperament); and partition of endogenous and exogenous energy. A subsequent paper will present detailed descriptions of model validation, sensitivity analysis, and application