STUDY ON HARNESSING METHOD AND DRAFT PERFORMANCE OF A DONKEY

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STUDY ON HARNESSING METHOD AND DRAFT PERFORMANCE
OF A DONKEY

• BAMRC

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Study on Harnessing Method Draft Performance of
a Donkey

• BAMRC

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Potential Outcomes

• Baseline of donkey criteria
• More effective harness
• Effective use of donkey power
• Matching of implements
• More animal power

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INTRODUCTION

• Ethiopia has the second largest donkey
  population in the world, estimated to be in the
  range of 4-5 million. The majority of donkeys are
  found in the high lands with the region of Shoa,
  Gondar, Tigray, Gojjam and Wello having the
  greatest numbers. There are about 27 donkeys per
  100 people, which is a high density by the world
  standard. (Fisha. G, Alemu.G, Friew .K, Abule.E
  Ketema.Y, 1997). According to the data collected
  from Woredas agricultural offices in Amhara
  region there are about 514880 donkeys which is
  70.6 of the total equines in the region. (Bereau
  of rural development, April 2003)
• . . But, studies in several countries show that
  donkeys have survived draught years better than
  cattle. This combined with the high cost of oxen
  and or the effects of animal disease, has caused
  many farmers to turn to the donkey as an
  alternative power source. (ATNESA, 1997)

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Background

• Ethiopia has the second largest donkey population
  in the world
• estimated at 4-5 million
• about 27 donkeys/100 people
• In Amhara region there are about 525,000 donkeys
  which is 71 of the total equines in the region
• Since
• donkeys survive draught better than cattle
• high cost of oxen
• effects of animal disease
• Many farmers are using donkeys

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CONT

• ..In addition according to studies conducted in
  56 (fifty six) Woredas of the region about 28.5
  of the rural household with in the surveyed areas
  were not endowed with ox. This figure clearly
  shows that food crop production, whether they
  used improved crop technology or not seriously
  affected due to lack of draught power
  meaning-delayed cultivation, seed bed preparation
  and threshing in this areas. Therefore the
  regional government and other organizations that
  are involved in agricultural development need to
  solve farmers draught power shortage. (Bureau of
  rural development, 2003)

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• Studies conducted in 56 (fifty six) Woredas
• 28.5 of the rural household with in the
  surveyed areas were not endowed with ox.
• Food crop production, whether they used improved
  crop technology or not seriously affected due to
  lack of draught power meaning-delayed
  cultivation, seed bed preparation and threshing
  in this areas
• Therefore need to solve farmers draught power
  shortage.

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• .... Whether pulling a cart or a farm implement,
  working singly or in teams, the draught donkey
  requires an appropriate harnessing system to
  allow power transfer from animal to implement.
  Although pack animals represent a centuries old
  technology in much of Africa, the use of donkey
  as a draught animal is a recent introduction in
  most African countries. Most farmers are
  therefore un-aware of the practice of harness
  construction for donkeys. Inappropriate
  ill-fitting harnesses represent a major cause of
  injury to donkeys. In efficient harness can limit
  power output, cause donkeys to tire easily, and
  reduce both short and long term effectiveness of
  donkeys. In situations where farmers use donkeys
  as replacement for oxen (temporarily or
  permanently), it is common for farmers to
  transfer ox-yoke technology directly to donkeys.
  This is an inappropriate harnessing system for
  both donkeys and horses. (ATNESA, 1997).

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• In fact, the main characteristic of our
  agriculture is the low level of productivity
  compared with what is technically possible. Thus
  policy makers are evermore focusing on how to
  enable farmers to attain sustainable development
  of agricultural productivity to feed the rapidly
  increasing population of the region as well as
  the country. The agricultural strategy of the
  region is focusing on the increasing production
  and yield of crops. However, the success of this
  strategy is affected by many factors including
  availability of adequate farm power for
  cultivation of land and crop management. One of
  the options for increasing the availability of
  adequate farm power for cultivation and crop
  management is to effectively use donkeys as an
  alternative. But, the limiting factor in using
  donkeys for cultivation and crop management is
  the unavailability of well-developed harnessing
  systems for donkeys. This project is intended to
  develop and or select appropriate harnessing
  systems for donkeys and to make available for
  farmers to use for cultivation of land towards
  the effort in increasing donkeys utilization
  efficiency to benefit more from the large number
  of available donkeys.

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PAST RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Field trials were undertaken with the plow and
  harness in Edinburgh and Nsalaga, (Scotland and
  Tanzania respectively), at the time of testing in
  Tanzania Farmers (and their visiting neighbors)
  were initially skeptical of the work potential of
  such a small and light plow. At the end of some
  hours work, during which the plow was tried by a
  number of people, they were satisfied (and
  somewhat surprised) with the quality and quantity
  of its output. (F M Inns ,R M Shetto and S
  Mkomwa,1997)
• To specify what technology and equipment is
  appropriate for donkeys, the characteristics of
  the power unit (i.e., the donkey) must be
  defined. Detailed information in the literature
  is sparse and possibly suspect. However, a
  typical African donkey weighs about 140 kg. It
  has a sustainable draft capacity equal to about
  17 of this live weight, or 240-280 N draft force
  (dependent on the specific task being performed).
  It walks at about 0.7 meters per second while
  working and can sustain this output for 3-4 hours
  per day. Such a typical sub-Saharan donkey
  therefore can develop 170-200 W of sustainable
  power and perform 1.8-2.8 MJ of work in a day. If
  implements or carts require more energy input
  than this, they will not be appropriate for
  single donkeys. Out of 64 designs for
  single-purpose tools proposed in West Africa
  since 1950, 14 have been adopted by donkey users.
  A number of these are lightweight, having been
  specifically developed for horses and donkeys.
  (ATNESA, 1997)

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• In a few areas southern Africa, including parts
  of Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, donkeys are
  used with withers yokes, similar to those used
  for cattle. Yoked donkeys, horses or mules are
  also sometimes used with padded withers yokes in
  North Africa, Ethiopia one reason for yoking
  equines is simply for convenience and simplicity
  where wither yokes for oxen are already
  available, and where equines harnesses are not
  obtainable. However it is generally agreed that
  yoking of equines is not an efficient harnessing
  strategy, breast bands or collars are the
  harnessing systems of choice for horses, mules
  and donkeys. (Paul Starkey, 1989)

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• General objective
• Utilize the available donkeys for tillage to
  minimize draft power shortage
• Specific objectives
• Develop breast band and collar harness for single
  and paired donkey
• Measure draught performance of donkey using
  breast band and collar harness
• Evaluate breast band and collar harness under
  farmers circumstances
• Demonstrate the technology to extension personnel
  and farmers.

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Harness Performance
Focus on the solutions...
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Harness Performance
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Materials and Methods

• Activity 1
• Assessment-
• Activity 2
• Development -
• Measure the following values from randomly
  selected fifty donkeys, (the donkey should be at
  skeletal maturity i.e. at the age between 4-5
  years)
• Wither height
• Length
• Neck strap
• Breast strap
• Minimum width of the donkey
• Maximum width of the donkey
• Angle of ribs
• Hip strap
• Side trace

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Materials and Methods

• Activity 2
• Measure from randomly selected fifty donkeys,
  (skeletal maturity between 4-5 years)
  
• Wither height
• Length
• Neck strap
• Breast strap
• Minimum width of the donkey
• Maximum width of the donkey
• Angle of ribs
• Hip strap
• Side trace

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Measurement Criteria
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• Materials to be used
• Old tyre ( other material options will also be
  considered)
• Padding materials/old clothes
• Wood/eucalyptus
• Methodology
• Measure the height of the donkey from the ground
  to the point of withers
• Measure the length of the donkey /from the wither
  to the back
• Measure the minimum and maximum width of the
  donkey
• Measure the hip strap, side trace angle of ribs
• To determine the minimum length of the breast
  strap, measure from a point (A) 4 cm above the
  elbow on one side, go around the breast just
  below where the wind pipe enters the breast, to a
  corresponding point on the other side
• To measure the length of the neck strap place a
  tape over the neck just in front of the highest
  point of the withers, carry the ends downwards
  where they cross the horizontal dotted line
  (point B).
• Move the ends 5 cm forward, along the horizontal
  dotted line, to point C. The proper length of the
  neck strap is the distance from point C over the
  neck to point C at the other side of the donkey.
  The points C are also the places where the neck
  strap should be fixed to the breast strap.
• Using the mean values of the above data working
  drawing for breast band and collar harness will
  be prepared and also the two harnesses will be
  manufactured in the workshop of the center.

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• Activity 3
• Testing on station
• A. Primary data
• Weight of the donkey
• Working time
• Distance traveled
• Draught force
• Resting time
• Feeding condition
• Physiological responses of the donkey during test

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• Activity 3
• Physiological responses of the donkey during test
• Body temperature
• Heartbeat or pulse rate
• Breathing rate
• Frothing
• Leg coordination
• Tongue protrusion
• Excitement
• Inhibition of forward movement

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• Activity 3
• B. Secondary data
• Environmental condition of the test days
• Mean day temperature
• Relative humidity

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• II .Measuring instrument that will be used
• Animal weighing scale
• Stop watch
• Inclinometer
• Load cell/eargometer/dynamometer
• Rectal thermometer/thermistor
• Ear clip
• Nose clip
• III. Methodology
• One male and one female donkey will be purchased
  from local market or hired from the surrounding
  farmers. The donkeys should be at skeletal
  maturity (at age between 4-5years).
• A flat (slope 0.5) test track will be selected
  at Andasa Animal Research Center with size ¼ - ½
  ha. The donkeys will be trained for some days
  (usually ranges from 4-6 days) until they become
  familiar with the test condition.

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.CONT

• The donkeys will be subjected to different levels
  of pulls starting from 9of their body weight and
  then by increasing 3 of their body weight until
  they reach complete immobilization state, using
  the two harnesses namely breast band and collar
  harness alternatively at four different angles of
  pull, i.e. (15, 20, 25, 30). The pull will be
  subjected using smooth sheet metal made loading
  device. The angle of pull will be adjusted using
  inclinometer. The donkeys will be subjected to
  each of the treatment for consecutive 5 hours.
  Treatments with better results will be replicated
  four times in four consecutive days.
• Dynamometer/load cell/ergo meter will be setted
  between the animal and the weight to be pulled
  and readings will be taken at every 40 minute
  interval. The total distance traveled by the
  donkey during pulling will be measured using
  measuring tape (multiplying the distance of a
  single route by the number of route in which the
  donkey travels). Stop watch will be used to
  measure the time elapsed in pulling the load.

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Test Procedures

• Levels of pulls
• Start at 9 of their body weight
• Increase by 3 of their body weight
• Reach complete immobilization state
• Four angles of pull
• 15, 20, 25, 30 degrees
• Two harnesses
• breast band
• collar harness
• Pull Sled will be subjected using smooth sheet
  metal made loading device. Angle of pull measure
  w/ inclinometer
• Subjected to each of the treatment for
  consecutive 5 hours
• Treatments with better results will be replicated
  four times in four consecutive days.

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Test Methodology

• Dynamometer/load cell/ergo meter
• Measurements _at_ 40 minute interval
• Total distance traveled measured using measuring
  tape (multiplying the distance of a single route
  by the number of route in which the donkey
  travels)
• Stop watch will be used to measure the time
  elapsed in pulling the load.

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CONT

• The body temperature of the donkey will be
  measured at the beginning of the experiment and
  at every time 40 minute, the heart beat and
  breathing rate too at every 20 minute interval.
  In addition other physiological changes will be
  recorded when it is observed.
• It will be observed critically the responses of
  the donkey to each harness in a place of the
  harness and the body of the donkey meets.
• The mean day temperature and relative humidity of
  the test days will be taken from the nearby
  metrology station.
• The weight of the donkeys will be measured using
  animal weighing scale.
• Resting time and feeding conditions of the donkey
  during the test days will be recorded.

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• Data Analysis
• The following formula will be used to calculate
  the average speed (Vav) at each pull level and
  angle of pull.
• Vav Total distance traveled at each pull level
• The
  respective total time
• Descriptive statistics will be used to calculate
  the average draught (dav) at each pull level and
  angle of pull.
• n
• dav ? di
• i1
  
• n
  
• where n number of dynamometer reading at
  each pull
• level
• di draft
• Power (P) developed by the donkey at each pull
  level and angle of pull will be calculated using
  the following formula
• P Vav dav Cos ? where
  ?-Angle of pull

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.CONT

• Graphical representation will be used to
  investigate the relationship between the
  following parameters.
• Speed verses level of pull at each angle of pull.
• Draught verses angle of pull at each level of
  pull.
• Power verses level of pull at each angle of pull.
• At this stage the maximum power out put of the
  donkey at optimum pull level and angle of pull
  for both collar breast band harnesses will be
  known.
• Use the universal tillage implements draught
  equation to determine the implement draught.
• H d/cos?
• Where
• H-Implement draught
• d-Effective total force (dynamometer
  reading)
• ?-Angle of pull
• These steps help us to determine the optimum
  implement draught which in turn help us to know
  the draught capacity of a donkey.

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• Activity 4
• Testing on farmers field-In this phase two on
  farm trials will be carried out.
• Using single donkey - for secondary
  tillage/weeding, harrowing, seed covering etc/
• Treatments
• Breast band harness with a donkey
• Collar harness with the same donkey
• State-of-the-art/traditional practice
• Using paired donkey - for primary tillage
• Treatments
• Collar harness with a pair donkey\single yoke
  harnes.dwg
• State-of-the-art/traditional practice
• I. Data to be collected
• Primary data - the following data will be
  collected.
• Working width
• Working depth
• Bulk density
• Penetration resistance
• Cone index
• Weight of implement and the harness

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• CONT
• Working time
• Angle of pull
• Actual force/ draught
• Soil moisture content
• Previous tillage history
• Quantity and type of living plants
• Quantity and type of crop residue and trash
• Presence of roots, stones or stamps
• Slop of the land
• Type and composition of the soil
• II. Measuring Instrument
• Measuring tape
• Cylindrical sampling core
• Cone penetrometer
• Shear tester
• Weighing scale
• Stop watch

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• . CONT
• Matching tillage implement to draft capacity of a
  donkey
• Modification of the existing plowing implements
  to meet the draft capacity of the donkey
• Preliminary testing in the center
• Test site and farmer selection
• A volunteer farmer will be selected from each of
  the test site and training will be given to each
  farmer on the hitching, adjustment and operation
  of the implement.
• The test will be conducted in three sites. The
  sites should have three different types of soil
  that is areas with sandy soil, silt loam soil and
  clay soil.
• For the case of trial I
• RCBD method will be used with a plot size AB and
  with three blocks or replication, where
• A1/9 ( the total width of the selected farmer
  land)
• B length of the selected farmer land
• For the case of trial II
• Divide the farmers field in four equal plots and
  then assign the treatments at random following
  any randomization shames.

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• III.Methodology
• The donkey will be trained for some days until
  they become familiar with the test conditions.
• The same plow man or plow women will be used to
  till the whole land in each site.
• Slope of the land along the work/plowing
  direction will be measured. Using line level,
  standing poles, rope and measuring tapes.
• To measure the bulk density (BD), cylindrical
  sampling cores, of known volume (5 cm in diameter
  5 cm in height) will be used to collect the
  undisturbed soil samples. Three replicate at to
  depths (5 10 cm) will be taken for each plot.
• The core sample will be oven dried for 24 hours
  at 105 ? C in the laboratory. Soil moisture
  content will be determined gravimetrically at the
  same time.
• Penetration resistance of the soil will be
  measured three readings will be taken in each
  plot.
• Shear test will be conducted and three readings
  will be taken in each plot.
• Angle of pull and weight of the implement will be
  measured for each of the implement.
• Working time will be measured in tilling each
  plot using stop watch.
• Number of passes will be counted in tilling each
  plot.
• Working depth and working width will be measured
  at randomly selected six furrows in each plot.
• Dynamometer/ergo meter/load cell reading will be
  taken to determine the actual force/draught
  developed by the animal in pulling the implement
  to till the land ten readings will be taken in
  each plot.

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• Data Analyses
• Decision matrix will be developed on
  affordability, timeliness, work rate, easiness to
  use, draft characteristics and quality of work to
  be field by the farmers and development agents
• Descriptive statistics will be used to determine
  the mean values of the following parameters bulk
  density, soil moisture content, penetration
  resistance, con index, draft, working depth
  working width.
• The following mathematical relations will be used
  to determine the theoretical field capacity and
  work rate for each plot.
• Distance traveled in plowing (D) number of
  passes length of the farm
• Area plowed (A) Distance traveled in plowing
  (D) average working width
• Theoretical field capacity (TFC) Area plowed
  (A)
• 
  Total time (T)
• Work rate
• Work (W) implement draft Distance traveled
  in plowing (D)
• Work rate (P) Work (W)
• Total time (T)

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• Demonstration

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Timeline 1999-2001
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Activity Unit () 1999-2000 1999-2000 1999-2000 1999-2000 2000-2001 2000-2001 2000-2001 2000-2001
Activity Unit () Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
1 10 Assessment and data collection for construction 5 5
2 15 Preparation of manufacturing drawing for breast band and collar harness 5 5
2 15 Manufacturing of collar harness and breast band harness 10 10
3 35 Testing draft performance of a donkey using breast band and collar harness on station 20 10 10
3 35 Preliminary testing of prototype 10 10
3 35 Refinement of work 5 5
4 25 Testing site selection 5 5
4 25 Testing and evaluation of prototype under the farmers circumstances 20 20
5 20 Demonstration site selection 5 5
5 20 Demonstration of prototype to users 10 10
5 20 Data analysis and report writing 5 1 1 3
Timeline 1999-2001
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Timeline 1999-2001
Activity Unit () 1999-2000 1999-2000 1999-2000 1999-2000 2000-2001 2000-2001 2000-2001 2000-2001
Activity Unit () Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
1 Assessment and data collection for construction 5 5
2 Preparation of manufacturing drawing for breast band and collar harness 5 5
3 Manufacturing of collar harness and breast band harness 10 10
4 Testing draft performance of a donkey using breast band and collar harness on station 20 10 10
5 Preliminary testing of prototype 10 10
6 Refinement of work 5 5
Testing site selection 5 5
7 Testing and evaluation of prototype under the farmers circumstances 20 20
8 Demonstration site selection 5 5
9 Demonstration of prototype to users 10 10
10 Data analysis and report writing 5 5
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Total Budget 33,000 B
Activity Funding
1 Assessment and data collection for construction 0
2 Preparation of manufacturing drawing for breast band and collar harness 5,000 B
3 Manufacturing of collar harness and breast band harness 5,000 B
4 Testing draft performance of a donkey using breast band and collar harness on station 5,000 B
5 Preliminary testing of prototype 3,000 B
6 Refinement of work 1,000 B
Testing site selection 1,000 B
7 Testing and evaluation of prototype under the farmers circumstances 2,000 B
8 Demonstration site selection 3,000 B
9 Demonstration of prototype to users 3,000 B
10 Data analysis and report writing 3,000 B
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• Beneficiaries Farmers
• Executing agency ARARI
• Implementing agency BAMRC
• Locations Adet, Debretabor, Metema
• Project duration 2 years
• Initiator BAMRC
• Person responsible Solomon.T, Dr Hailu
  Mazengiya, G/selassie S.
• Budget 33,000Birr
• Budget source governmental

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Impacts

• Baseline of donkey criteria
• More effective harness
• Effective use of donkey power
• Matching of implements
• More animal power

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• References
• ATNESA donkey workshop on improving donkey
  utilization and management Debre Zeit ,1997
  Ethiopia
• Fisha. G, Alemu.G, Friew .K, Abule.E Ketema.Y,
  donkey utilization and management in Ethiopia
  CTA, Wagenningen,1997,the Netherlands
• F M Inns ,R M Shetto and S Mkomwa a lightweight
  swing plow for a single donkey design,
  operations and the harness ,ministry of
  agriculture training and research institute
  ,Uyole, Mabeya,1997,Tanzania
• Henk J Dibbits, harnessing guidelines for single
  donkey cart CTA, Wagenningen,1997,the Netherlands
• Paul Starkey, harnessing and implements for
  animal traction an animal traction resource
  book for Africa Lengeric Herhandelsdruckerei,
  Lengerich, 1989 Federal Republic of Germany
• The Federal Republic of Ethiopia Amhara National
  Regional State, Rural Household Eco-Economic
  Baseline Survey of 56 Woredas in the Region,
  Volume VIII Livestock Production Bureau of Rural
  Development, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
• ACTION PLANG\Action plan.doc

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