Strategies for Improvement of Draft Animal Power Supply for Cultivation in Ethiopia: A Review

Abstract

Improved use of draught animals' power source for agricultural production is the most appropriate and relevant form of strategy for smallholder agriculture due to economical, technical and agro-ecological problems associated with mechanized agriculture. Use of animal power generally enables farmers in Ethiopia to increase agricultural production and hence, contributes a lot towards ensuring food security in the country. Effective use of draught animal power requires understanding of the animals' draught capability, husbandry requirements, nutrition and other factors which influence performance. In this review, strategies or options that enable to improve draught animal power supply which include improvements in working strategies, care and management, nutrition/feeding, healthcare, harnessing techniques and genetic quality are highlighted and discussed. Heat stress, poor nutrition and management and improper harnessing system, the existence of an array of infectious and parasitic diseases are some of the factors that can be attributed for the inefficient utilization of draught animals. The absence of works to improve traits for work performance indicates least emphasis given to promote draught animal power. Finally, possible strategies for optimum utilization and for maximizing the performance of draught animals for agricultural operations in Ethiopia are recommended.